Printing system, job processing method, printing apparatus, storage medium, and program

ABSTRACT

A printing system capable of increasing the working efficiency of an operator engaged in a post-process necessary after printing can be provided. For this purpose, the user interface unit can execute a display which allows the operator to explicitly input, for each job, instruction information in consideration of a post-process necessary after a printing process in a job requiring a printing process by a printing apparatus in a printing system capable of stacking, on a stacking unit, printed materials having undergone the printing process. When the job to be processed is a job for which the operator inputs the instruction information via the display, printed materials of the job for which the operator inputs the instruction information are stacked on the stacking unit while the printed materials are classified every printed materials on the basis of the instruction information input by the operator for the job.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/487,036,filed Jul. 14, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing system capable ofclassifying sheets of a job to be processed, a job processing method, aprinting apparatus, a storage medium, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally in the commercial printing industry, a publication isissued through various work steps such as entry of a document, designingof the document, layout editing, comprehensive layout (presentation byprinting), proofreading (layout correction and color correction), proof(proof print), block copy preparation, printing, post-process, andshipping.

In particular, the commercial printing industry often uses an offsetreproduction printing press in the printing step, and the block copypreparation step is inevitable. However, once the block copy isprepared, it is difficult and disadvantageous in cost to correct theblock copy. In block copy preparation, therefore, careful proofreading(i.e., careful layout check and color confirmation) is indispensable.Some period of time is generally required until issuing of a publicationis completed.

In the commercial printing industry, most apparatuses used in respectivework steps are bulky and expensive. In addition, work in each steprequires expert knowledge. Know-how of experts is indispensable.

With the advent of high-speed and high-quality electrophotographic andinkjet printing apparatuses, a so-called print-on-demand (to be referredto as POD hereinafter) market is coming into being against thecommercial printing industry.

The POD market appears to replace large-scale printing presses andprinting methods so as to deal with jobs of relatively small lots withina short period of time without using any bulky apparatuses or systems.

In the POD market, digital printing using electronic data can beimplemented to provide printing services and the like by making the bestof digital image printing apparatuses such as a digital copying machineand digital multi-functional peripheral.

In the POD market, digitization advances more than in the conventionalcommercial printing industry. Management and control using computers hasbecome widespread, and printed material can be actually issued within ashort period of time. As another advantage, the POD market does notrequire any know-how of the operator. Recently, the image quality ofprinted materials by POD printing is coming close to the level of thecommercial printing industry.

In this situation, office-equipment makers and the like are examiningnew entry into this new POD market (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2005-165722).

In order to enter the POD market, it is desirable on the assumption ofthe circumstance of the POD market to cope with any situation whichhardly occurs in the office environment. A full study is necessarytoward the practical use of POD printing.

For example, it is expected that only the functions of a printingapparatus such as a digital copying machine or digital multi-functionalperipheral, which is satisfactorily adapted to the office environment,may not always match the POD environment or the like. In the PODenvironment, the operator must make detailed settings and work in orderto create a final material which meets a customer's request. Thisenvironment is aware of shortening of the work time and cost reductions.In the office environment, the user often instructs the printingapparatus to print his document in accordance with his instructions, andthen receives his material printed by the printing apparatus. In the PODenvironment, in most cases, one who requests creation of a printedmaterial is a customer, and one who instructs the printing apparatus orprinting system about an operation for creating the printed material isan operator engaged at the work site in the POD environment. In manycases, in the POD environment, unlike the office environment, anoperator who instructs the printing apparatus (or the printing systemhaving the printing apparatus) to run for a job to be processed is notone who receives the final material of the job. In order tocommercialize a printing apparatus and printing system for a printingenvironment such as the POD environment which tends to be different fromthe office environment, it is important to find out use cases and userneeds unique to a printing environment such as the POD environment. Inaddition, a mechanism capable of dealing with use cases and user needsunique to a printing environment such as the POD environment that arenot expected in a printing environment such as the office environmentmust be proposed for commercialization. In this manner, the printingapparatus or printing system can be desirably applied not only to theoffice environment but also to a printing environment such as the PODenvironment.

More specifically, in the POD environment, a situation is assumed inwhich a printing apparatus as described above is installed at the worksite, and a dedicated post-processing apparatus such as a cuttingmachine is also installed independently of the printing apparatus. Inthis printing environment, assumable work steps necessary for a job tobe processed are work of cutting, with the cutting machine, materialsprinted by the printing apparatus, and work of packing printed materialsin a box. Even after a process for a target job by the printingapparatus (or the printing system having the printing apparatus) ends,post-steps necessary after the printing step may exist in the job. Atthe work site, the operator may take out, from the delivery portion ofthe printing apparatus, materials which are printed by the printingapparatus and stacked on the delivery portion of the printing apparatus.To perform steps such as cutting and box packing, the operator mayrearrange or sort printed materials. In a printing environment such asthe POD environment, intervention work by the operator may be requiredfor a job to be processed after the end of a printing process by theprinting apparatus. In addition, many operations may be requested of theoperator in intervention work by the operator that is necessary for ajob to be processed after a printing process.

Examination of why this situation occurs arrives at the conclusion thatthe conventional printing apparatus (or the printing system having theconventional printing apparatus) is designed in consideration of theoffice environment. For example, the conventional printing apparatus (orthe printing system having the conventional printing apparatus) does nothave any specification considering a work step after a printing process,which may occur in the POD environment.

As described above, there is room for further study in commercializing aprinting apparatus and printing system adaptable not only to the officeenvironment but also to the POD environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system,job processing method, printing apparatus, storage medium, and programcapable of solving the above problems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a convenientprinting environment adaptable not only to the office environment butalso to the POD environment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprinting environment which minimizes intervention work by the operatorthat may occur in the POD environment due to, e.g., the configuration ofa printing apparatus assuming the office environment. It is stillanother object of the present invention to implement efficient work byreducing the work load of the operator at the actual work site in aprinting environment such as the POD environment.

The present invention flexibly copes with a printing environment whereone who receives a final material and one who requests an operation ofthe printing apparatus or printing system in order to create the finalmaterial are different, similar to the relationship between the customerand the operator in the POD environment. For this purpose, it is stillanother object of the present invention to provide a flexible userinterface environment more friendly to an operator who actually operatesthe printing apparatus or printing system.

The present invention intends an effect capable of increasing theefficiency of intervention work of an operator who engages in apost-process necessary after printing by the printing apparatus in a jobto be processed in a printing environment such as the POD environment.In addition, an excellent operation environment where an increase in theefficiency of intervention work of an operator who engages in apost-process necessary after printing is considered and the operator'will is respected as much as possible can be provided via a printingapparatus or printing system to the operator who operates the printingapparatus or printing system. The present invention intends an effectcapable of constructing a highly convenient user interface environmentin consideration of a printing environment such as the POD environment.It is still another object of the present invention to achieve these twoeffects in consideration of a printing environment such as the PODenvironment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aprinting environment capable of flexibly meeting various needs fromvarious users as much as possible on the assumption of varioussituations and use environments.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an example of a printed materialpublishing system including an image forming apparatus to be controlledin an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of a medium information table whichholds information on a print medium to be used in control of theembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a table (post-process deviceperformance table) which describes information on the thickness of mediaprocessable at once by a cutting machine in a cutting process by thecutting machine as a post-step to be used in control of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the internalconfiguration of an image forming apparatus to be controlled in theembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the detailedhardware configuration of the controller unit of the image formingapparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of a user interface unit tobe controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view for explaining an example of the mechanicalstructure of the image forming apparatus to be controlled in theembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the internalconfiguration of an information processing apparatus to be controlled inthe embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an example of a user interface to becontrolled in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining another example of the user interfaceto be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining still another example of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining still another example of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing another example of the printed materialpublishing system including the image forming apparatus to be controlledin the embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining an example of the user interface to becontrolled in the embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining another example of the user interfaceto be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining still another example of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining still another example of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view for explaining still another example of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining control in the embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a table for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a plan view for explaining a control example in theembodiment;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view for explaining a control example in theembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a plan view for explaining a control example in theembodiment;

FIG. 35 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view for explaining a control example in theembodiment;

FIG. 38 is a view for explaining a control example in the embodiment;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are views for explaining examples of the userinterface to be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 40A to 40C are views for explaining examples of the user interfaceto be controlled in the embodiment;

FIGS. 41A to 41D are views for explaining control examples in theembodiment;

FIGS. 42A to 42C are tables for explaining control examples in theembodiment;

FIGS. 43A and 43B are views for explaining control examples in theembodiment;

FIGS. 44A and 44B are views for explaining control examples in theembodiment; and

FIG. 45 is a view for explaining an example of the user interface to becontrolled in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, as needed.

First Embodiment <Overall Configuration of Printed Material PublishingSystem>

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a printedmaterial publishing system having an image printing apparatus (e.g.,digital multi-functional peripheral) according to the first embodimentof the present invention. Note that the image printing apparatus in thefirst embodiment is also called an image forming apparatus or printingapparatus. A system having the image forming apparatus in the firstembodiment is also called an image forming system or printing system.The printed material publishing system described in the first embodimentassumes an actual work site in a printing environment such as the PODenvironment where the printing system can be installed. The printedmaterial publishing system illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a digitalmulti-functional peripheral (image printing apparatus) 101, client PC102, and cutting machine 103, which are connected to each other by anetwork 104. The digital multi-functional peripheral 101 holds a table(medium information table) as shown in FIG. 2 which describesinformation on media, and a table (post-process device performancetable) as shown in FIG. 3 which describes information on the thicknessof media processable at once by the cutting machine 103 in a cuttingprocess by the cutting machine 103 as a post-step.

Note that the cutting machine 103 is an example of the post-processingdevice of the digital multi-functional peripheral 101 which forms theprinted material publishing system, and the post-processing device isnot limited to the cutting machine. In the first embodiment, amulti-functional printing apparatus having a plurality of functions suchas the copy function and print function will be explained as an exampleof the printing apparatus. The first embodiment can be applied to even asingle-functional printing apparatus such as an apparatus having only aprint function of printing print data from an external apparatus, or anapparatus having only a copy function of printing print data input fromthe own document reader.

<Functional Configuration of Digital Multi-Functional Peripheral>

The functional configuration of the digital multi-functional peripheral101 corresponding to an example of the printing apparatus (imageprinting apparatus) of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIG. 4. The digital multi-functional peripheral 101disclosed in this specification comprises a function of printing printdata of a job to be processed on a print medium (printed material).Thus, the digital multi-functional peripheral disclosed in thisspecification is also called a printing apparatus. The system disclosedin this specification comprises the printing apparatus, and is alsocalled a printing system. In the printing system of the first embodimenthaving the printing apparatus 101 (main body) and a sheet processingapparatus 720, materials printed by the printing apparatus 101 can bestacked at the stacking unit (e.g., a delivery tray 722 in FIG. 7) ofthe sheet processing apparatus 720.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of thedigital multi-functional peripheral 101, and illustrating the units of adigital multi-functional peripheral having functions such as copying,printing, and FAX.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a scanner unit which scans adocument. Reference numeral 402 denotes a controller unit which performsan image process for an image scanned by the scanner unit 401 and storesthe resultant data in a memory 405. Reference numeral 404 denotes anoperation unit which sets various printing conditions for an imagescanned by the scanner unit 401. The operation unit 404 corresponds toan example of a user interface to be controlled in the first embodiment.The operation unit 404 is an operation panel of the printing apparatus101, and comprises a liquid crystal touch panel having variousinformation display functions and a function to input variousinstructions from the operator. Reference numeral 403 denotes a printerunit which prints on a medium under printing conditions set via theoperation unit 404 on the basis of image data (print data) read out fromthe memory 405. The units of the printing apparatus in the firstembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 are comprehensively controlled by thecontroller unit 402.

<Detailed Configuration of Controller Unit 402>

Details of the hardware configuration of the controller unit 402 whichcorresponds to an example of the control unit in the first embodiment,controls the digital multi-functional peripheral 101, and is arranged inthe apparatus 101 will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a main controller 501 in the controller unit 402 ismainly formed from a CPU 502, bus controller 503, and various I/Fcontroller circuits.

The CPU 502 and bus controller 503 control the whole operation of thedigital multi-functional peripheral 101. The CPU 502 runs on the basisof a program loaded from a ROM 504 via a ROM I/F 505. This program alsodescribes an operation of interpreting received PDL (Page DescriptionLanguage) code data and expanding the data into raster image data, andis processed by software. The bus controller 503 controls transfer ofdata input/output from each I/F, and performs arbitration upon buscontention and control of DMA data transfer.

A DRAM 506 is connected to the main controller 501 via a DRAM I/F 507,and used as a work area for operating the CPU 502 and an area foraccumulating image data.

A Codec 508 compresses raster image data accumulated in the DRAM 506 bya format such as MH/MR/MMR/JBIG/JPEG, and decompressescompressed/accumulated code data into raster image data. An SRAM 509 isused as a temporary work area for the Codec 508. The Codec 508 isconnected to the main controller 501 via an I/F 510, and data isDMA-transferred between the Codec 508 and the DRAM 506 under the controlof the bus controller 503.

A graphic processor 524 performs image rotation, image scaling, colorspace conversion, and binarization for raster image data accumulated inthe DRAM 506. An SRAM 525 is used as a temporary work area for thegraphic processor 524. The graphic processor 524 is connected to themain controller 501 via an I/F, and data is DMA-transferred between thegraphic processor 524 and the DRAM 506 under the control of the buscontroller 503

A network controller 511 is connected to the main controller 501 via anI/F 513, and to the network 104 via a connector 512. The network isgenerally Ethernet®.

A general-purpose high-speed bus 515 connects an I/O control unit 516and an expansion connector 514 for connecting an expansion board. Thegeneral-purpose high-speed bus is generally a PCI bus. The I/O controlunit 516 is equipped with start-stop synchronization serialcommunication controllers 517 of two channels that transmit/receivecontrol commands to/from the CPUs of the scanner unit 401 and printerunit 403. The I/O control unit 516 is connected to a scanner I/F circuit526 and printer I/F circuit 530 via an I/O bus 518.

A panel I/F 521 is connected to an LCD controller 520, and formed froman I/F for display on the liquid crystal screen of the operation unit404 and a key input I/F for inputs from hard keys and touch panel keys.

The operation unit 404 comprises a liquid crystal display, a touch panelinput device adhered onto the liquid crystal display, and a plurality ofhard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key istransmitted to the CPU 502 via the panel I/F 521, and the liquid crystaldisplay unit displays image data sent from the panel I/F 521. The liquidcrystal display unit displays functions, image data, and the like in theoperation of the digital multi-functional peripheral 101.

A real-time clock module 522 updates and saves a date and time managedin the apparatus, and is backed up by a backup battery 523.

An E-IDE connector 539 connects an external storage device. In the firstembodiment, the I/F is used to connect a hard disk drive 538, storeimage data in a hard disk 540, and read out image data from the harddisk 540. Connectors 527 and 532 are respectively connected to thescanner unit 401 and printer unit 403, and made up of start-stopsynchronization serial I/Fs (528 and 533) and video I/Fs (529 and 534).

The scanner I/F 526 is connected to the scanner unit 401 via theconnector 527 and to the main controller 501 via a scanner bus 541. Thescanner I/F 526 has a function of performing a predetermined process foran image received from the scanner unit 401, and also has a function ofoutputting to the scanner bus 541 a control signal generated on thebasis of a video control signal sent from the scanner unit 401. Datatransfer from the scanner bus 541 to the DRAM 506 is controlled by thebus controller 503.

The printer I/F 530 is connected to the printer unit 403 via theconnector 532 and to the main controller 501 via a printer bus 531. Theprinter I/F 530 has a function of performing a predetermined process forimage data output from the main controller 501 and outputting theprocessed data to the printer unit 403, and also has a function ofoutputting to the printer bus 531 a control signal generated on thebasis of a video control signal sent from the printer unit 403.

Transfer of raster image data expanded in the DRAM 506 to the printerunit 403 is controlled by the bus controller 503, and the raster imagedata is DMA-transferred to the printer unit 403 via the printer bus 531and video I/F 534.

An SRAM 536 is a memory capable of holding storage contents by powersupplied from a backup battery even when the overall digitalmulti-functional peripheral 101 is turned off. The SRAM 536 is connectedto the I/O control unit via a bus 535. An EEPROM 537 is a memoryconnected to the I/O control unit via the bus 535, too. Details of thehardware configuration of the controller unit 402 have been described.

<Structure of Operation Unit 404>

The structure of the operation unit 404 for setting various printingconditions will be explained. An operation unit 601 in FIG. 6 isconnected to the panel I/F 521 in FIG. 5. Reference numeral 602 denotesa reset key for canceling, e.g., values set by the user. Referencenumeral 603 denotes a stop key used to stop a job in progress. Referencenumeral 604 denotes a ten-key pad for inputting numerical values such asentries. Reference numeral 605 denotes a touch panel type display unitwhich displays various operation windows (windows registered in advance)as illustrated in FIG. 10. The display unit 605 has many touch panelbuttons for making various settings. Reference numeral 606 denotes astart key for starting a job such as read of a document. Referencenumeral 607 denotes a clear key for clearing settings and the like. Thecontroller unit 402 which controls the operation unit 404 acceptsvarious instructions as described above which are input via theoperation unit 404 including the display unit 605 from the operator tothe printing system including the printing apparatus 101. In addition,the controller unit 402 causes the printing system to execute anoperation based on an instruction input from the operator via theoperation unit 404. Also, the controller unit 402 causes the displayunit 605 to, e.g., display a confirmation to prompt the operator toconfirm an operator's operation on the operation unit 404, and displayinformation (e.g., the job processing status or status information ofthe system) of which the operator is to be notified. In this manner, thecontroller unit 402 executes various control operations for performinginteractive exchanges with an operator who operates the operation unit404 of the printing apparatus 101. The system configuration capable ofexecuting various control operations via the operation unit 404 of theprinting apparatus 101 is a feature of the first embodiment for fullyexhibiting effects not only in the office environment but also in thePOD environment. The operation unit 404 having the touch panel typedisplay unit 605 of the printing apparatus 101 is also called anoperation panel or control panel.

<Hardware Configurations of Scanner Unit 401 and Printer Unit 403>

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the scanner unit 401 and printer unit403. A document feeder 701 of the scanner unit 401 feeds document pagesone by one from the last page onto a platen glass 702. After the end ofreading the document page, the document page on the platen glass 702 isdischarged.

After the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 702, a lamp 703 isturned on, and movement of a scanner unit 704 starts to expose and scanthe document. Light reflected by the document is guided to a CCD 709 viamirrors 705, 706, 707, and 708.

The image of the scanned document is read by the CCD 709. Image dataoutput from the CCD 709 is stored in a hard disk (e.g., an HD in thememory 405 in FIG. 4) which is arranged in the printing apparatus 101and can store print data of print jobs. Printing of image data of a jobto be printed is executed by the printer unit 403 via the HD. A seriesof printing operations for a job whose print data is input from thedocument reading unit is also controlled by the controller unit 402.

The printer unit 403 comprises a laser driver for driving alaser-emitting unit 710. The laser driver drives the laser-emitting unit710 in accordance with image data output from the scanner unit 401 toemit a laser beam.

A printer control unit 721 is connected to the outside via a network,processes input image data, and drives the laser-emitting unit 710 inaccordance with the image data to emit a laser beam.

The laser beam is swept by a rotary polygon mirror, and irradiates aphotosensitive drum 711 to form a latent image corresponding to exposureof the laser beam on the photosensitive drum 711. A developer isattached from a developing unit 712 to the latent image on thephotosensitive drum 711.

At a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, aprint sheet is fed from either a sheet feed cassette 713 or sheet feedcassette 714, and conveyed to a transfer portion 715 to transfer thedeveloper attached on the photosensitive drum 711 onto the medium.

The medium on which the developer is transferred is conveyed to fixingportions 716, and fixed onto the medium by the heat and pressure of thefixing portions 716.

The medium having passed through the fixing portions 716 is dischargedby discharge rollers 717. The sheet processing apparatus 720 sorts mediaby storing discharged media at respective bins.

The top bin of the sheet processing apparatus 720 is the delivery tray722. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 720 has a stacking tray723 capable of stacking a large number of discharged media. Which of thedelivery tray 722 and stacking tray 723 receives discharged media isswitched by a flapper 724.

When double-sided printing is set, the rotational direction of thedischarge roller 717 is reversed to guide a medium to the refeed conveypath by a flapper 718. When multiple printing is set, a medium is guidedto the refeed convey path by the flapper 718 so as not to convey themedium to the discharge rollers 717. The medium guided to the refeedconvey path is fed to the transfer portion 715 at the above-describedtiming.

<Configuration of Client PC>

The configuration of the information processing apparatus (in thisexample, client PC) 102 corresponding to an example of a remote externalapparatus different from the printing apparatus 101 in the printingsystem of FIG. 1 will be explained.

The client PC 102 comprises, e.g., various units shown in FIG. 8. InFIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a control memory (ROM); 802, acentral processing unit (CPU); 803, a memory (RAM); 804, an externalstorage device; 805, an input device; 806, a display device; 807, anetwork I/F; and 808, a bus. A control program (e.g., a printer driverfor the digital multi-functional peripheral 101) for implementing aninformation processing function according to the first embodiment, anddata used by the control program are stored in the control memory 801.The control programs and data are properly loaded into the memory 803via the bus 808 under the control of the central processing unit 802,and executed by the central processing unit 802. The central processingunit 802 of the client PC 102 accepts an instruction from the operatorof the client PC 102 via the input device 805 (mouse and keyboard) andthe display device 806 which correspond to examples of the userinterface in the first embodiment. The central processing unit 802causes the client PC 102 to execute an operation corresponding to theinstruction. For example, the central processing unit 802 causes theclient PC 102 to transmit various data (print data and printingcondition data) of a job to be processed to the printing apparatus 101of the first embodiment via the network I/F 807 together with a printingexecution request. Then, the central processing unit 802 controls theprinting apparatus 101 to print the job to be processed in accordancewith the printing condition data of the job.

Note that the first embodiment also comprises constituent elements whenthe client PC 102 executes control associated with a process to classifyprinted materials to be output by the printing apparatus 101 to bedescribed later. For example, the central processing unit 802 causes theclient PC 102 to acquire information on a post-processing apparatusnecessary for control from the printing apparatus 101 or an externalapparatus such as a near-line post-processing apparatus (to be describedlater). Alternatively, the central processing unit 802 causes the clientPC 102 to register information on the post-processing apparatus in thememory of the client PC 102 in advance. On the premise of thisconfiguration, the central processing unit 802 causes the display device806 of the client PC 102 to display, in response to a user operation tothe client PC 102, a user interface window associated with aclassification process (to be described later). Further, the centralprocessing unit 802 accepts various requests associated with theclassification process (to be described later) from the operator of theclient PC 102 via window. The central processing unit 802 causes theprinting apparatus 101 to execute, by a classification processcorresponding to a request from the operator of the client PC 102, theprinting operation of a print job for which execution of printing isrequested from the client PC 102. This configuration will be describedin detail in the second embodiment and the like.

Process Flow in Copying by Digital Multi-Functional Peripheral to BeControlled in First Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining control in the first embodiment. Inthe first embodiment, the controller unit 402 of the printing apparatus101 controls the printing apparatus 101 so that it can execute processesand operations in steps illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9. Programcodes for causing the printing apparatus 101 to execute the processes ofthe flowchart in FIG. 9 are stored as program data in advance in thememory 405 of the printing apparatus 101. By reading out and executingthe data, the controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 toexecute various process operations illustrated in FIG. 9. The flowchartillustrated in FIG. 9 mainly shows a series of process procedures incontrol associated with a printed material sorting method executed bythe controller unit 402 in copying by the digital multi-functionalperipheral.

In S901, after the printing apparatus 101 is turned on by the operator,the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 of the operationunit 404 to display a setting window illustrated in FIG. 10 as aninitial window. The controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 todisplay function selection keys (copy tab, send tab, box tab, and extendtab) 1001 to 1004 which are arrayed and displayed at the top in thedisplay area of the display unit 605 illustrated in FIG. 10 even whilethe operation window of a function other than the copy function isdisplayed. The controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 toexecute the display illustrated in FIG. 10 in response to press of thefunction selection key (copy tab) 1001 by the user in a window otherthan that of the copy function.

The copy setting window which is illustrated in FIG. 10 and displayed onthe display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 comprises various keysranging from a color selection setting key 1005 to an application modekey 1018 illustrated in FIG. 10 in addition to the function selectionkeys 1001 to 1004. The color selection setting key 1005 is an operationinstruction key for designating, by the user, a document scan mode for ajob to be scanned by the scanner unit 401 of the printing apparatus 101.The status display portion 1006 functions as a display portion whichdisplays information for notifying the user of the operation status ofthe printing apparatus 101. The copy ratio display portion 1007functions as a display portion for prompting the user to confirm aparameter currently set as the printing ratio of print data of a job tobe printed. The copy ratio setting key 1008 functions as an operationinstruction portion for setting, by the user, the printing ratio ofprint data of a job to be printed.

The sorter key 1009 is a display key for accepting, from the user, arequest to cause the display unit 605 to execute a display for allowingthe user (synonymous with the operator) of the apparatus 101 todesignate a printed material sorting method for a job to be printed bythe apparatus 101 from a plurality of selection candidates. When thesorter key 1009 is pressed by the user, the controller unit 402 controlsthe display unit 605 of the printing apparatus 101 to display a displaywindow illustrated in FIG. 11. The sorter key 1009 in FIG. 10 and asorter key 4002 (see FIG. 40: to be described later) are display keysfor displaying a display window which allows the operator to specify asorting method from a plurality of selection candidates. Thus, thesorter keys 1009 and 4002 may also be named “sorting method selection”keys. In the first embodiment, a “sorting process” is defined andreferred to as a “classification process”, which will be describedlater. Hence, the sorter keys 1009 and 4002 may also be named“classification process method selection” keys. In this manner, thedisplay building elements may also be properly modified unless theyconflict with the gist of the present invention. The controller unit 402causes the sheet count display area 1010 of the UI window illustrated inFIG. 10 to display the total print count input by the operator via theten-key pad 604 of the operation unit 404 or the like for a print job tobe processed. The UI window illustrated in FIG. 10 also comprisesvarious operation instruction keys such as the density setting key 1011,image mode setting key 1012, interruption key 1013, double-sided settingkey 1014, paper selection key 1015, paper size display key 1016, systemmonitor key 1017, and application mode key 1018. The controller unit 402causes the printer unit 403 to execute a printing operation complyingwith various printing conditions input by the operator via the windowdisplayed on the display unit 605 as illustrated in FIG. 10 or a hardkey input portion (various hard keys except the display unit 605 in FIG.6). Jobs to be printed by an operator's operation from the operationunit 404 include a print job whose print data is input from the scannerunit 401, and a print job whose print data has already been stored inthe HD of the printing apparatus 101 by a box function to be describedlater.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the function selection keys 1001 to 1004which are arrayed and displayed at the top in the display area of thedisplay unit 605 are display keys for allowing the operator to selectwhich of the operation windows of functions provided by the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 101 is to be displayed on the display unit605. For example, the apparatus 101 comprises four functions: copyfunction, send function, box function, and extend function. Thecontroller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to display the functionselection key (copy tab) 1001, function selection key (send tab) 1002,function selection key (box tab) 1003, and function selection key(extend tab) 1004. For example, the controller unit 402 causes thedisplay unit 605 to display the operation window of the box function inFIG. 39 or 40 (to be described later) in response to selection of thefunction selection key (box tab) 1003 in the window illustrated in FIG.10. The box operation will be described later.

After the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to execute thedisplay in FIG. 10, it determines in step S902 on the basis ofinformation from the touch panel sensor whether the sorter key 1009 inthe display of FIG. 10 has been pressed by the operator. If thecontroller unit 402 determines in step S902 that the sorter key 1009 hasbeen pressed by the operator, it advances to step S903 to cause thedisplay unit 605 to display a sorting method selection windowillustrated in FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the controller unit 402 causes the displayunit 605 to display a window for allowing the operator to select adesired type of sorting method for a job to be processed from aplurality of types of printed material sorting methods executable by theprinting apparatus 101. In the example of FIG. 11, the controller unit402 causes the display unit 605 to display an operation window having a“sort by copy count” button 1101, “sort by height” button 1102, and“designate post-step” button 1103. For example, if the operator pressesthe “sort by copy count” button 1101 in the window of FIG. 11, thecontroller unit 402 determines that the operator selects a “sort by copycount” mode as a printed material sorting method for a print job to beprocessed in accordance with a printing execution request input by theoperator via the operation unit 404. If the operator presses the “sortby height” button 1102 of the window in FIG. 11, the controller unit 402determines that the operator selects a “sort by height” mode as aprinted material sorting method for a print job to be processed. If theoperator presses the “designate post-step” button 1103 of the window inFIG. 11, the controller unit 402 determines that the operator selects a“designate post-step” mode as a printed material sorting method for aprint job to be processed.

The controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to execute thedisplay of FIG. 11 in S903, and determines in S904 on the basis ofinformation from the touch panel sensor whether the operator has pressedthe “sort by copy count” button 1101. If the controller unit 402determines that the operator has pressed the “sort by copy count” button1101, it advances to step S905 to cause the display unit 605 to executea display illustrated in FIG. 12. A copy count sorting setting window1201 in FIG. 12 pops up in the window of FIG. 11. When the operatorpresses the “sort by copy count” button 1101, the controller unit 402causes the display unit 605 to execute the copy count sorting settingwindow 1201 having three display building elements: “every copy” button1202, “every designated copies” button 1203, and copy count input field1204, as illustrated in FIG. 12. The controller unit 402 controls toallow the operator to select a desired sorting method from two sortingmethods corresponding to the “every copy” button 1202 and “everydesignated copies” button.

For example, the operator sets “4” with the ten-key pad 604 as a totalprint count for a job to be processed. This job requires printing ofcopies. For the job which requires printing of a total print count “4copies”, the operator presses the “every copy” button 1202 in the copycount sorting setting window 1201. Then, the operator inputs a printingexecution request for the job by pressing the start key 606. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 controls the system so that printedmaterials of the print job requiring printing of four copies in total bythe printer unit 403 are stacked on the stacking unit of the systemwhile these printed materials are sorted (classified) every printedbundle of one copy. In this fashion, the “every copy” button 1202 is adisplay building element functioning to sort printed materials everycopy upon printing.

For example, the operator sets “6” with the ten-key pad 604 as a totalprint count for a job to be processed. This job also requires printingof copies. For the job which requires printing of a total print count “6copies”, the operator presses the “every designated copies” button 1203of the copy count sorting setting window 1201. In this case, thecontroller unit 402 enables the copy count input field 1204, and permitsthe operator to input a desirably designated copy count via the copycount input field 1204. For example, the operator inputs “3” as adesignated copy count via the copy count input field 1204. Then, theoperator inputs a printing execution request for the job by pressing thestart key 606. In this case, the controller unit 402 inhibits stackingof printed materials of the print job requiring printing of six copiesin total by the printer unit 403 on the stacking unit of the systemwhile these printed materials are sorted (classified) every printedbundle of one copy. The controller unit 402 controls the printing systemso that printed materials of the print job requiring printing of sixcopies in total by the printer unit 403 are stacked on the stacking unitof the system while these printed materials are sorted (classified)every printed bundle of three copies.

As described above, the “every designated copies” button 1203 and copycount input field 1204 are an example of display building elementsfunctioning to classify printed materials of a job requiring printing ofcopies every printed materials at a designated copy count manually inputby the operator without classifying the printed materials every printedmaterials of one copy. X represents the value of a designated copy countpermitted to be manually input by the operator into the copy count inputfield 1204, and Y represents the value of a total print count manuallyinput by the operator for a print job to be processed.

While the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to display thesheet count display area 1010 of FIG. 10 for prompting the operator toconfirm a total print count necessary for a job to be printed, itcontrols to allow the operator to manually input the total print count(Y) of the job. In response to press of the sorter key 1009 by theoperator after the operator inputs the total print count (Y) via thedisplay of FIG. 10, the controller unit 402 controls to allow thedisplay unit 605 to display the copy count input field 1204 of FIG. 12.While the copy count input field 1204 in FIG. 12 is enabled on thedisplay unit 605, the controller unit 402 controls to allow the operatorto manually input the designated copy count (X) for the job whose totalprint count (Y) has already been set by the operator. When the operatormanually inputs the total print count (Y) and designated copy count (X),he inputs numerical values with the ten-key pad 604. The controller unit402 manages, as entry data, both the total print count (Y) anddesignated copy count (X) which are input as numerical values by theoperator. The controller unit 402 associates these entry data asprinting process condition parameters of a job to be processed, withprint data of the job, and utilizes the entry data in a printing processby the printing apparatus 101. The controller unit 402 holds these entrydata in the internal HDD of the memory 405 in association with the printdata until the process of the job to be printed is completed by theprinting apparatus 101. This configuration can cope with a case whereprinting suspends upon generation of a printing interrupt factor in thejob.

The total print count (Y) of a job to be printed by the printingapparatus 101 and the designated copy count (X) for the job have arelation “2≦X<Y (both of which are positive integers (natural numbers)”.The controller unit 402 also manages this relation (relationalexpression) as a job process condition, and controls to inhibitexecution of an operator setting or operation contradictory to thisrelation.

For example, the total print count (Y) accepted from the operator whilethe operation unit 404 executes the display in FIG. 10 is “2”, and alarger value “4” is input by the operator as the designated copy count(X) via the copy count input field 1204 in FIG. 12. Then, the operatorpresses the start key 606 in order to input a printing execution requestfor the job. In this case, the controller unit 402 determines that thesesettings do not satisfy the condition of the above relationalexpression. Thus, the controller unit 402 invalidates the settings bythe operator, and causes the display unit 605 to execute a warningdisplay which notifies the operation of a message to this effect. Inthis case, the operator has already input the printing execution requestwith the start key 606. However, the controller unit 402 invalidates theprinting execution request itself from the operator, and inhibits theprinting apparatus 101 from starting a series of printing operations forthe job including a document scanning operation and printing operation.In such a case, the controller unit 402 cancels a printing process for ajob to be processed. In this way, the first embodiment achieves aneffect capable of minimizing an operation error by the operator ormalfunction of the apparatus caused by the operation error in a job ofwhich the operator requests a sorting (classification) process everydesignated copies.

Note that the above configuration considers the possibility of operationerrors by the operator, and is not indispensable. For example, the totalprint count (Y) accepted from the operator while the operation unit 404executes the display in FIG. 10 is “5”, and a larger value “10” is inputby the operator as the designated copy count (X) via the copy countinput field 1204 in FIG. 12. Then, the operator presses the start key606 in order to input a printing execution request for the job. In thiscase, these settings do not satisfy the condition of the aboverelational expression, but the controller unit 402 permits the start ofa printing operation for the job without canceling printing of the job.Although the operator designates “10 copies” as the designated copycount (X) for the job, the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to print a total of five copies in the printing operationof the job without printing 10 copies. As for the print count, priorityis given to the value of the total print count (Y) over that of thedesignated copy count (X). As for a classifying (sorting) process,priority is given to the value of the designated copy count (X) overthat of the total print count (Y). For example, the controller unit 402controls the printing system so that all printed materials of fivecopies in a job requiring printing of five copies in total aresequentially stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)without classifying all the printed materials. This configuration canattain an effect of giving priority to a condition intentionally set bythe operator in the POD environment who is expected to be familiar withadvanced operations, and giving priority to high productivity withoutstopping the operation of the printing system as much as possible.

Considering which of suppression of operation errors and highproductivity has priority, which of the above-described two controloperations associated with the relation between the designated copycount (X) and the total print count (Y) is executed is desirablydetermined in accordance with a printing environment where the printingsystem is introduced. Further, which of these control operations isexecuted may be selected and determined as an initial setting by theoperator in advance.

As described above, the controller unit 402 executes various controloperations to the printing system including the printing apparatus 101after the process in S909 of FIG. 9 for a job requiring printing ofplural copies in total and stacking of printed materials whileclassifying them every designated copies.

While the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to execute thedisplay in FIG. 12, it determines in step S906 on the basis ofinformation from the touch panel sensor of the display unit 605 whetherthe “every copy” button 1202 in the copy count sorting setting window1201 of FIG. 12 has been selected. If the controller unit 402 determinesthat the “every copy” button 1202 has been selected, it advances to stepS907. In S907, the controller unit 402 sets to print and sort printedmaterials every copy for a job to be processed for which printingconditions are set by the operator via the operation unit 404. After theprocess in S907, the controller unit 402 accepts a printing startrequest for the job from the operator in response to press of the startkey 606. Then, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system(printing apparatus 101) so that printed materials of the job to beprocessed at this setting are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., thedelivery tray 722) while the printed materials are classified everyprinted bundle of one copy.

If the controller unit 402 determines in step S906 that the “every copy”button 1202 has not been selected, it advances to step S908 to determineon the basis of information from the touch panel sensor of the displayunit 605 whether the operator has selected the “every designated copies”button 1203 in the copy count sorting setting window 1201 of FIG. 12. InS908, the controller unit 402 also determines whether the operator hasinput an arbitrarily designated copy count of at least 2 or more via thecopy count input field 1204 in the copy count sorting setting window1201 of FIG. 12. In response to press of the “every designated copies”button 1203, the controller unit 402 enables display of the copy countinput field 1204. When the operator inputs a numerical value with theten-key pad 604 in this state, input of the designated copy count to thecopy count input field 1204 is completed. After press of the “everydesignated copies” button 1203 by the operator and input of thedesignated copy count by the operator are confirmed, the controller unit402 advances the process from S908 to S909. The controller unit 402 setsto print and sort printed materials at a designated copy count input inthe copy count input field 1204 of FIG. 12 for a job to be processed forwhich printing conditions are set by the operator via the operation unit404. After the process in S909, the controller unit 402 accepts aprinting start request for the job from the operator in response topress of the start key 606. Then, the controller unit 402 controls thesystem so that printed materials of the job to be processed at thissetting are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)while the printed materials are classified every printed bundle ofdesignated copies corresponding to the numerical value (X) input by theoperator via the copy count input field 1204. Various control operationsassociated with S909 have been described above.

To the contrary, if the controller unit 402 confirms in S904 that theoperator has not pressed the “sort by copy count” button 1101 displayedon the display unit 605, or confirms in S908 that the operator has notpressed the “every designated copies” button 1203 displayed on thedisplay unit 605, the controller unit 402 advances the process to stepS910. In S910, the controller unit 402 determines on the basis ofinformation from the touch panel sensor of the display unit 605 whetherthe operator has pressed the “sort by height” button 1102 displayed onthe display unit 605. If the controller unit 402 confirms in S910 thatthe operator has pressed the “sort by height” button 1102 displayed onthe display unit 605, it advances the process from S910 to S911. InS911, the controller unit 402 sets to print and sort printed materialsevery predetermined height (within the allowance of the stacking height)for a print job to be processed. After the process in S911, thecontroller unit 402 accepts a printing start request for the job fromthe operator in response to press of the start key 606. In this case,the controller unit 402 controls the printing system so that printedmaterials of the print job to be processed are stacked on the stackingunit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while the printed materials areclassified every height based on numerical value information input bythe operator from the operation unit 404. The numerical valueinformation corresponds to the stacking amount of printed materials onthe stacking unit, in other words, represents the height of printedmaterials when the printed materials are stacked on the stacking unit.The controller unit 402 accepts numerical value information representingthe height of printed materials from the operator on condition that theoperator presses the “sort by height” button 1102 in FIG. 11 displayedon the display unit 605. For example, in response to press of the “sortby height” button 1102, the controller unit 402 enables a display inputfield (height information input field) on the right of the “sort byheight” button 1102. In this state, the controller unit 402 acceptsinput of height information from the operator via the input field of the“sort by height” button 1102. The controller unit 402 controls thesystem so that printed materials of the job to be processed at thissetting are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)while the printed materials are classified every height based on theheight information (every stacking amount based on the information)input by the operator via the input field of the “sort by height” button1102.

If the controller unit 402 confirms in S910 that the “sort by height”button 1102 displayed on the display unit 605 has not been pressed, itadvances the process from S910 to S912. In S912, the controller unit 402determines on the basis of information from the touch panel sensor ofthe display unit 605 whether the operator has pressed the “designatepost-step” button 1103 displayed on the display unit 605. If thecontroller unit 402 determines in S912 that the operator has pressed the“designate post-step” button 1103, it advances the process from S912 toS913. In S913, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 todisplay a post-step designation mode window illustrated in FIG. 13.

In the post-step designation mode window which is illustrated in FIG. 13and displayed on the display unit 605, the controller unit 402 displaysa list of candidates selectable by the operator as a post-step of aprint job to be processed at the setting of the “designate post-step”button 1103. This function deals with a case to be described below.

For example, according to the first embodiment, a cutting process by thecutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 can be executed for materials of a jobprinted by the printing apparatus 101 capable of executing a processbased on the setting. The cutting process by the cutting machine 103 isnot a post-process executable by the printing apparatus 101. In otherwords, the cutting process by the cutting machine 103 does notcorrespond to a post-process to be executed by the post-processingapparatus of the printing system including the printing apparatus 101.That is, the cutting process by the cutting machine 103 corresponds to apost-process which is not executed by the post-processing apparatus ofthe printing system. However, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting apparatus 101 so as to allow the operator to explicitly input,via the list in the display of FIG. 13, a post-process to be executed bya print job requiring a post-process which is not executed by thepost-processing apparatus of the printing system. After the operatordesignates a post-step in the list of FIG. 13 for the print job to beprocessed, he presses the start key 606. In response to this, thecontroller unit 402 controls the system (printing apparatus 101) so thatprinted materials of the job to be processed at this setting are stackedon the stacking unit while the printed materials are classified everystacking amount based on the post-step designated by the operator in thelist of FIG. 13. This control can minimize operator work necessary toexecute a post-process which is necessary after printing by the printingapparatus 101 and is not executed by the printing system. In thisfashion, the first embodiment comprises control for dealing with a casewhere a cutting process by the cutting machine 103 is performed as apost-step of the digital multi-functional peripheral 101. Post-stepsinclude, e.g., a box packing process in addition to the cutting process,and the controller unit 402 controls to display the process contents ofthe box packing process in the post-step designation mode window, too.This will also be described later.

Post-step information to be displayed in the list of the display of FIG.13 on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 includesinformation which is to be displayed by automatically acquiringinformation on a post-processing apparatus by the printing apparatus101. An example of this information is the first information List 1 inthe display of FIG. 13 that corresponds to information on the cuttingmachine 103. The following control is executed in displaying theinformation on the cutting machine 103 in the list of the display ofFIG. 13.

The controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to transmit,to the cutting machine 103 via the network 104, a request command toacquire information on the cutting machine 103 (e.g., information on thedevice name, the type of executable finishing, and capability). When thecutting machine 103 receives this command, the controller unit 402causes the cutting machine 103 to transmit the information on thecutting machine 103 as a reply result to the printing apparatus 101, andcauses the printing apparatus 101 to receive the information. When theprinting apparatus 101 externally acquires the information on thecutting machine 103, as described above, the controller unit 402controls the display unit 605 so as to reflect and display informationbased on the received information in the list of FIG. 13.

In this manner, the controller unit 402 displays information on anear-line post-processing apparatus in the post-step information list ofFIG. 13 by automatically acquiring the information by the printingapparatus 101 (without any manual input operation by the operator). Thenear-line post-processing apparatus (also called the near-linepost-processing unit) described here is defined as a post-processingapparatus which satisfies at least the following two definitions, whichwill be explained later.

[Definition 1 of Near-Line Post-Processing Unit] The near-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured not to beable to receive materials printed by the printing apparatus of thesystem without the mediacy of intervention work (e.g., takeout orconveyance of printed materials or preparations associated with apost-process) by the operator after a printing process. In other words,the near-line post-processing unit is a post-processing apparatusphysically disconnected from the printing apparatus 101.

[Definition 2 of Near-Line Post-Processing Unit] The near-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured to beable to connect to a data communication medium such as the network 104and communicate data with a device such as the controller unit 402 ofthe printing apparatus 101. In other words, the near-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus electricallyconnected to the printing apparatus 101.

A post-processing apparatus which meets both [Definition 1] and[Definition 2] of the near-line post-processing unit is defined as anear-line post-processing apparatus (near-line post-processing unit). Inthe cutting machine 103 serving as an example of the near-linepost-processing apparatus, printed materials to be cut are set throughintervention work such as takeout of printed materials by the operatorafter a printing process by the printing apparatus 101. After that, thecutting machine 103 can cut the printed bundle. Further, the cuttingmachine 103 can transmit its information to the printing apparatus 101via the network 104 connected to the cutting machine 103. The cuttingmachine 103 in FIG. 1 corresponds to a post-processing apparatus whichis physically disconnected from the printing apparatus 101 butelectrically connected. Hence, the cutting machine 103 is defined as anear-line post-processing apparatus.

How this system operates with a configuration which allows the operatorto input a choice corresponding to a near-line post-processing apparatusselectable from the list in the display of FIG. 13 will be exemplified.

For example, a job to be processed requires a cutting process by thecutting machine 103 connected to the network 104 in FIG. 1 as apost-process after a printing process by the printing apparatus 101. Inthis case, the controller unit 402 allows the operator to input List 1in the display of FIG. 13 that corresponds to the cutting process by thecutting machine 103 before the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to print the job to be processed, i.e., the operatorpresses the start key 606 to send a printing start request. In responseto an input from the start key 606 upon selecting the item List 1 inFIG. 13 by the operator, the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to print the print job having this setting. At this time,the controller unit 402 controls the system so that printed materials ofthe job are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)while these printed materials are sorted (classified) in a unitcomplying with the post-process corresponding to List 1 in the displayof FIG. 13 designated by the operator in the printing process for theprint job having this setting. For example, as the processing capabilityof the cutting machine 103, the number of printed materials cuttable atonce by the cutting machine 103 is a maximum of 100 A4-size print mediaeach 0.1 mm thick. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls thesystem so that printed materials of a job to be processed at thissetting are stacked on the stacking unit while these printed materialsare classified in a unit complying with the processing capability(information that a maximum of 100 A4-size sheets each 0.1 mm thick canbe stored) of the cutting machine 103.

In order to execute control corresponding to the processing capabilityof the above-described near-line post-processing apparatus by thecontroller unit 402, a post-processing apparatus such as the cuttingmachine 103 is configured to be connectable to the network 104 andfunctions as a near-line post-processing apparatus. In the firstembodiment, the printing environment is equipped with a near-linepost-processing apparatus which is physically disconnected from theprinting apparatus 101 but electrically connected to it so as to executedata communication with a network device such as the printing apparatus101.

Another example of the post-processing apparatus which can be containedas a near-line post-processing apparatus except the cutting machine 103is a glue bookbinding machine capable of executing a glue bookbindingprocess such as a case binding process for materials of a job printed bythe printing apparatus 101. Still another example of the post-processingapparatus is a punching machine capable of punching materials of a jobprinted by the printing apparatus 101. Still another example of thepost-processing apparatus is a packing machine capable of packagingmaterials of a job printed by the printing apparatus 101.

Post-step information to be displayed in the list of the display of FIG.13 on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 includesinformation which is displayed by manually inputting it in advance bythe operator via a user interface such as the operation unit 404.Examples of this information are the second information List 2 and thethird information List 3 in the display of FIG. 13. These pieces ofinformation correspond to items to be selected by the operator in thedisplay of FIG. 13 when box packing work by the operator is required formaterials of a job printed by the printing apparatus 101.

For example, a job to be processed requires, as a post-process after aprinting process by the printing apparatus 101, box packing work ofprinted materials by the operator using a packing member (packagingmeans or packing means) serving as a post-processing unit named “oobox”. In this case, the controller unit 402 allows the operator to inputList 2 in the display of FIG. 13 that corresponds to the packing memberbefore the controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 toprint the job to be processed, i.e., the operator presses the start key606 to send a printing start request. In response to an input from thestart key 606 upon selecting the item List 2 in FIG. 13 by the operator,the controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to print theprint job having this setting. At this time, the controller unit 402controls the system so that printed materials of the job are stacked onthe stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while these printedmaterials are sorted (classified) in a unit complying with thepost-process corresponding to List 2 in the display of FIG. 13designated by the operator in the printing process for the print jobhaving this setting. For example, as the processing capability of thepacking member named “oo box”, materials printed by the printingapparatus 101 can be stored by a maximum of 500 A4-size print media each0.1 mm thick. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls the systemso that printed materials of a job to be processed at this setting arestacked on the stacking unit while these printed materials areclassified in a unit complying with the processing capability(information that a maximum of 500 A4-size sheets each 0.1 mm thick canbe stored).

In contrast, for example, a job to be processed requires, as apost-process after a printing process by the printing apparatus 101, boxpacking work of printed materials by the operator using a packing member(packaging means or packing means) serving as a post-processing unitnamed “ΔΔ box”. In this case, the controller unit 402 allows theoperator to input List 3 in the display of FIG. 13 that corresponds tothe packing member before the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to print the job to be processed, i.e., the operatorpresses the start key 606 to send a printing start request. In responseto an input from the start key 606 upon selecting the item List 3 inFIG. 13 by the operator, the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to print the print job having this setting. At this time,the controller unit 402 controls the system so that printed materials ofthe job are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)while these printed materials are sorted (classified) in a unitcomplying with the post-process corresponding to List 3 in the displayof FIG. 13 designated by the operator in the printing process for theprint job having this setting. For example, as the processing capabilityof the packing member named “ΔΔ box”, materials printed by the printingapparatus 101 can be stored by a maximum of 100 A4-size print media each0.1 mm thick. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls the systemso that printed materials of a job to be processed at this setting arestacked on the stacking unit while these printed materials areclassified in a unit complying with the processing capability(information that a maximum of 100 A4-size sheets each 0.1 mm thick canbe stored).

Post-processes specified by List 2 and List 3 in the display of FIG. 13correspond to those by an off-line post-processing apparatus (off-linepost-processing unit) which requires intervention work by the operatorafter a printing process by the printing apparatus of the system. Theoff-line post-processing apparatus (also called an off-linepost-processing unit) described here is defined as a post-processingapparatus which satisfies at least the following two definitions, whichwill be explained later.

[Definition 1 of Off-Line Post-Processing Unit] The off-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured not to beable to receive materials printed by the printing apparatus of thesystem without the mediacy of intervention work (e.g., takeout orconveyance of printed materials or preparations associated with apost-process) by the operator after a printing process. In other words,the off-line post-processing unit is a post-processing apparatusphysically disconnected from the printing apparatus 101.

[Definition 2 of Off-Line Post-Processing Unit] The off-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured to beunable to connect to a data communication medium such as the network 104or communicate data with a device such as the controller unit 402 of theprinting apparatus 101. In other words, the off-line post-processingunit is a post-processing apparatus even electrically disconnected fromthe printing apparatus 101.

A post-processing apparatus which meets both [Definition 1] and[Definition 2] of the off-line post-processing unit is defined as anoff-line post-processing apparatus (off-line post-processing unit). Forexample, “oo box” in List 2 of FIG. 13 and “ΔΔ box” in List 3 serving asexamples of the off-line post-processing unit are merely packing members(e.g., cardboard box) capable of storing printed materials. In otherwords, these boxes are post-processing units capable of executing a boxpacking process for printed materials by the operator throughintervention work such as takeout of printed materials by the operatorafter a printing process by the printing apparatus 101. Thesepost-processing units do not comprise any network communicationfunction, or cannot transmit data to the printing apparatus 101. Storageboxes serving as packing means (packaging means) corresponding to “oobox” in List 2 of FIG. 13 and “ΔΔ box” in List 3 correspond topost-processing apparatuses which are physically and electricallydisconnected from the printing apparatus 101. Thus, thesepost-processing apparatuses are defined as off-line post-processingapparatuses (off-line post-processing units). In order to reflectinformation on the off-line post-processing apparatus in the list ofFIG. 13, for example, the information on the off-line post-processingapparatus to be displayed in the list is registered in advance by theoperator in the internal hard disk of the memory 405 of the printingapparatus 101. The controller unit 402 controls to acquire theinformation on the off-line post-processing apparatus through manualinput by the operator, display the acquired information on the off-linepost-processing apparatus in the list of the display of FIG. 13, andpresent the information as a selection candidate by the operator.

As described in the control example using FIG. 13, the controller unit402 allows the operator to explicitly input, before the start ofprinting, what kind of post-process (post-step) is to be performed aftera printing process by the printing apparatus 101 in a job requiring apost-process which is not executed by the system including the apparatus101. Further, the controller unit 402 makes a setting based on anoperator input via the display of FIG. 13 in S913. The controller unit402 controls the system so that printed materials of the job to beprocessed at this setting are stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., thedelivery tray 722) while these printed materials are sorted (classified)in a unit based on the post-process corresponding to the item whose stephas explicitly been designated by the operator in S913.

In this way, the controller unit 402 executes the setting of printingand sorting for a job to be processed on the basis of the list selectedin the post-step designation mode window in step S913.

Note that the sheet processing apparatus 720 is an example of thepost-processing apparatus of the printing apparatus 101 itself, but is apost-processing apparatus demountable from the printing apparatus 101 asan optional apparatus of the printing apparatus 101. In the firstembodiment, the printing apparatus itself may comprise the sheetprocessing apparatus 720, or the sheet processing apparatus 720 may beconnectable as an option of the printing apparatus to the printingapparatus 101. The present invention can adopt either configuration. Inthe first embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus 720 corresponds toan in-line post-processing apparatus (in-line post-processing unit). Thein-line post-processing apparatus (also called an in-linepost-processing unit) described here is defined as a post-processingapparatus which satisfies at least the following two definitions, whichwill be explained later.

[Definition 1 of In-Line Post-Processing Unit] The in-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured to beable to receive materials printed by the printing apparatus of thesystem without the mediacy of intervention work (e.g., takeout orconveyance of a printed material or preparations associated with apost-process) by the operator after a printing process. In other words,the in-line post-processing unit is a post-processing apparatusphysically connected to the printing apparatus 101.

[Definition 2 of In-Line Post-Processing Unit] The in-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus configured to beable to connect to a data communication medium such as a signal line inthe printing apparatus 101 and communicate data with a device such asthe controller unit 402 of the printing apparatus 101. In other words,the in-line post-processing unit is a post-processing apparatuselectrically connected to the printing apparatus 101.

A post-processing apparatus which meets both [Definition 1] and[Definition 2] of the in-line post-processing unit is defined as anin-line post-processing apparatus (in-line post-processing unit). Thesheet processing apparatus 720 serving as an example of the in-linepost-processing unit can directly introduce materials of a job printedby the printer unit 403 into the printing apparatus 101 via the sheetconvey path in the printing apparatus 101 without intervention work bythe operator after a printing process by the printing apparatus 101.Moreover, information (information on the presence/absence of paper, anderror information such as paper jam or staple jam) on the sheetprocessing apparatus 720 can be transmitted to the controller unit 402via a signal line in the apparatus. The sheet processing apparatus 720in FIG. 7 corresponds to a post-processing apparatus which is physicallyand electrically connected to the printing apparatus 101. Hence, thesheet processing apparatus 720 is defined as an in-line post-processingapparatus. When the configuration of the printing system having theprinting apparatus 101 is viewed from the whole system, the printingsystem in the first embodiment means a configuration having the printingapparatus 101 (main body) and the in-line post-processing apparatus.Further, the controller unit 402 comprehensively controls the printingsystem having the printing apparatus 101 (main body) and the in-linepost-processing apparatus.

It should be noted that the controller unit 402 in the first embodimentallows the printing system to execute even control which considers apost-process by a non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-linepost-processing unit) not corresponding to the post-processing apparatus(post-processing unit) of the printing system. The non-in-linepost-processing unit means a post-processing apparatus (post-processingunit) which satisfies the definitions of at least either the near-linepost-processing apparatus (near-line post-processing unit) or theoff-line post-processing apparatus (off-line post-processing unit), asdescribed above. In other words, the non-in-line post-processingapparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit) satisfies the followingdefinitions.

[Definition of Non-In-Line Post-Processing Unit] The non-in-linepost-processing unit is a post-processing apparatus (post-processingunit) not corresponding to a post-processing apparatus (post-processingunit) which is physically and electrically connected to the printingapparatus of the printing system. For example, the above-describedcutting machine 103 corresponds to the non-in-line post-processing unit.In other words, the non-in-line post-processing unit is apost-processing apparatus (post-processing unit) at least not having aconfiguration capable of receiving materials of a job printed by theprinting apparatus 101 without intervention work by the operator after aprinting process of the job. For example, sheet storage box A in FIG. 28also corresponds to the non-in-line post-processing unit. In otherwords, the non-in-line post-processing unit is a post-processingapparatus (post-processing unit) not having a configuration capable ofcommunicating data with a device such as the controller unit 402.

A post-processing apparatus (post-processing unit) which meets[Definition of Non-In-Line Post-Processing Unit] is defined as anon-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the system can executethe above-described control as control which considers the non-in-linepost-processing apparatus (synonymous with the non-in-linepost-processing unit).

For example, the controller unit 402 controls the operation unit 404 soas to allow the operator to explicitly input information on apost-process associated with the non-in-line post-processing unit on thebasis of (in consideration of) the post-process (post-step) by thenon-in-line post-processing unit that is required by a job to be printedby the system.

For example, as described above, the controller unit 402 controls todisplay the copy count input field 1204 on the display unit 605 so as toenable the copy count input field 1204 in FIG. 12 in response to a keyoperation by the operator to the sorter key 1009, “sort by copy count”button 1101, or “every designated copies” button 1203. The controllerunit 402 controls to allow the operator to explicitly manually input,via the copy count input field 1204 displayed on the display unit 605under the display control, the designated copy count value (X) for a jobrequiring printing of copies. Further, the controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system so that printed materials of the print job to beprocessed for which the designated copy count information (X) is inputby the operator are sequentially stacked on the stacking unit of theprinting system while these printed materials are sorted (classified)every printed bundle based on the designated copy count information (X).This control is executed after the above-described process in S909 ofFIG. 9, and corresponds to a control example illustrated in FIG. 36.

As another example, as described above, the controller unit 402 causesthe display unit 605 to display the “sort by height” button 1102 in FIG.11. The controller unit 402 controls to allow the operator to explicitlymanually input, via the copy count input field 1204 displayed on thedisplay unit 605 under the display control, height information on thestacking amount (height) of printed materials for a job to be printed.In addition, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system sothat printed materials of the print job to be processed for which theheight information is input by the operator are sequentially stacked onthe stacking unit of the printing system while these printed materialsare sorted (classified) every stacking amount based on the heightinformation. This control is executed after the above-described processin S911 of FIG. 9, and corresponds to a control example illustrated inFIG. 30.

As still another example, as described above, the controller unit 402causes the display unit 605 to display the list in FIG. 13. Thecontroller unit 402 controls to allow the operator to explicitlymanually input, via the list in FIG. 13 displayed on the display unit605 under the display control, information for specifying the processingcapability of a non-in-line post-processing unit used for a post-processexecuted after a printing process in a job to be printed. Also, thecontroller unit 402 controls the system so that printed materials of thejob to be processed for which capability information of the non-in-linepost-processing unit is input by the operator are sequentially stackedon the stacking unit of the printing system while these printedmaterials are sorted (classified) every stacking amount based on thecapability information. This control is executed after theabove-described process in S913 of FIG. 9, and corresponds to a controlexample illustrated in FIG. 29 or 31.

Control illustrated in FIG. 26 corresponds to a control example executedby the controller unit 402 when the operator presses the start key 606after the above-described process in S907. Control illustrated in FIG.27 corresponds to a control example executed by the controller unit 402when the operator presses the start key 606 after the above-describedprocess in S914.

<Flow of Height-Designated Sorting Process>

Details of the height-designated sorting process in step S911 will beexplained. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of theheight-designated sorting process. In the first embodiment, similar tothe control illustrated in FIG. 9, the controller unit 402 of theprinting apparatus 101 controls the printing apparatus 101 so that itcan execute processes and operations in steps illustrated in theflowchart of FIG. 14. Program codes for causing the printing apparatus101 to execute processes in the flowchart of FIG. 14 are also stored asprogram data in advance in, e.g., the memory 405 of the printingapparatus 101 in association with the process program of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 9. By reading out and executing the data, thecontroller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to execute variousprocess operations illustrated in FIG. 14.

In S1401 of FIG. 14, the controller unit 402 recognizes, on the basis ofinformation from the operation unit 404, a height information value(allowance of the stacking height) corresponding to a printed materialstacking amount which has been set by an operator input via the “sort byheight” button 1102 of the display of FIG. 11 in the above-describedS911 for a job to be printed. In S1402, the controller unit 402 acquiresthe thickness of one print medium (print paper) necessary to print thejob, on the basis of medium information in the medium information tablewhich is illustrated in FIG. 2 and registered in advance in the internalHDD of the memory 405. The size and type of paper necessary to print thejob are recognized by the controller unit 402 on the basis of paperinformation designated as a printing condition by the operator. Forexample, the controller unit 402 recognizes, as information set by theoperator, paper information set via a paper setting window (not shown)displayed on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 in responseto press of the paper selection key 1015 in the operation window of FIG.10 by the operator. The controller unit 402 searches the managementtable in FIG. 2 for paper thickness information corresponding to thepaper designated by the operator. The controller unit 402 determinesthat the thickness information specified as the search result from thetable is information on the thickness of one paper sheet necessary forthe print job.

In S1403, the controller unit 402 calculates the height of printedmaterials per printed bundle of one copy necessary for the print job tobe processed. For example, the type of job to be processed is a copyjob. In response to press of the start key 606 by the operator, thecontroller unit 402 starts a document scanning operation for a documentbundle of the job that is set in the ADF (Auto Document Feeder) of thescanner unit 401. The controller unit 402 stores image data of thedocument scanned by the scanner unit 401 in the internal HD (Hard Disk)of the memory 405 sequentially in page order. While the document dataare accumulated in the HD, the controller unit 402 executes a documentsheet counting operation to count one by one the number of documentsheets to be scanned in the job. After all the document sheets to bescanned in the job are fed from the ADF and all the document data of thejob are stored in the HD, the controller unit 402 specifies the totalnumber of document pages of the job on the basis of the document sheetcount result of the counting operation. Also, the controller unit 402multiplies the total number of document pages by the thickness of onepaper sheet necessary to print the job that has already been acquired inS1402. Based on data corresponding to the product, the controller unit402 acquires a printed material height value necessary to print one copyof the job. The controller unit 402 executes the above-described processas a process in S1403. In S1404, the controller unit 402 compares theheight information which has been input by the operator via the “sort byheight” button 1102 and acquired in the process of S1401, with theheight information of a printed bundle of one copy that has beenacquired in S1403 and is necessary for the job. On the basis of thesepieces of information, the controller unit 402 calculates, for the job,a maximum copy count which does not exceed the height input by theoperator.

The controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to print thejob on condition that the operator presses the start key 606 after, theabove-described process in S911. As the printing operation, a process inS1405 is executed. That is, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system so as to inhibit sorting of printed materials everyprinted bundle of one copy and sort a printed bundle of the job at thecopy count calculated in S1404, as the printing operation of the jobrequiring sorting of printed materials by height designation.

A concrete example of the process described with reference to FIG. 14will be explained. For example, “plain paper” is set as the paper type(medium type) by the operator via a paper selection window (not shown)displayed on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 in responseto press of the paper selection key 1015 by the operator for a job to beprinted. The controller unit 402 acquires “0.05 mm/sheet” from themedium information table in FIG. 2 as information on the thickness ofone “plain paper” sheet. This process is done in S1402. Assume that thisjob requires printing of 50 copies in total as a printing process for anoriginal (document bundle) of a 100-page document. As described above,the controller unit 402 acquires the total page count information of thedocument on the basis of the counting result of the document sheet countby the controller unit 402 during the document scanning operation of thejob. As described above, the controller unit 402 also acquires totalprint count information by confirming the total print count (Y) input bythe operator with the ten-key pad while the display unit 605 displaysthe sheet count display area 1010 in FIG. 10. Based on these pieces ofdetermination information, the controller unit 402 acquires information“0.05 mm×100 pages=5 mm” as a printed bundle thickness necessary toprint one copy of the job. This process is done in S1403. Assume that“60 mm” is designated as the height by the operator via the “sort byheight” button 1102 for the job of which the operator requests sortingof printed materials by height designation. The controller unit 402acquires this height information in the process of S1401. Then, thecontroller unit 402 executes the process of S1404 on the basis ofvarious types of determination information. For example, in S1404, thecontroller unit 402 calculates “60 mm/5 mm=12” for the job. This meansthat printed materials of the job can be stacked up to 12 copies(=sorting amount) as one sorted bundle without sorting (that oneclassification can contain a printed bundle of 12 copies at maximum).The controller unit 402 controls to execute a sorting process based onthe calculation result acquired in S1404 in a printing process of thejob. This process corresponds to that in S1405.

The printing results of the job by the system in the process of FIG. 14are as follows.

[Results] A printed bundle of one copy (one set) of 100 paper sheets iscreated on which a series of document image data from the first page tothe last page (100th page) of the job are printed page by page in pageorder. A printed bundle containing a total of 12 sets is created as aprinted bundle of one classification without sorting printed bundlesevery set. A total of four printed bundles each formed from oneclassification including printed bundles of 12 sets without sorting themare stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) whilethese printed bundles are classified every classification. Further,printed bundles of two sets are stacked over the printed bundle of thefourth classification on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)without sorting the printed bundles of two sets. Printing results inthis stacking state can be obtained by the printing system.

Note that the control example based on the process in the flowchart ofFIG. 14 corresponds to that in FIG. 30.

<Flow of Post-Step Designation Process>

Details of the post-step designation process in step S913 will beexplained. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the post-stepdesignation process. In the first embodiment, similar to the controloperations illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 14, the controller unit 402 of theprinting apparatus 101 controls the printing apparatus 101 so that itcan execute processes and operations in steps illustrated in theflowchart of FIG. 15. Program codes for causing the printing apparatus101 to execute processes in the flowchart of FIG. 15 are also stored asprogram data in advance in, e.g., the memory 405 of the printingapparatus 101 in association with the process programs of the flowchartsillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 14. By reading out and executing the data,the controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to executevarious process operations illustrated in FIG. 15.

As a process in S1501 of FIG. 15, the controller unit 402 recognizes apost-step designated by the operator for a job to be printed in S912.For example, the controller unit 402 determines, on the basis ofinformation from the touch panel sensor, which of post-steps isdesignated by the operator via the list in FIG. 13 displayed on thedisplay unit 605.

For example, the operator selects “List 1” (cutting machine) in FIG. 13as a post-step in step S912. The cutting machine in List 1 correspondsto the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1. In S1502, the controller unit 402looks up the post-processing device performance table in FIG. 3 that isregistered in advance in the internal HD of the memory 405. In S1503,the controller unit 402 grasps the thickness (allowance of the stackingheight) of printed materials processible at once by the cutting machine103 on the basis of information of the post-processing deviceperformance table.

In S1504, the controller unit 402 acquires the thickness of onedesignated medium from the medium information table shown in FIG. 2. Thedesignated medium means paper designated by the operator as papernecessary for a printing process of the job to be processed. That is,the designated medium means paper which is designated as paper used forprinting by the operator via the paper selection key 1015 or the like,as described in S1402 of FIG. 14. In other words, the process in S1504is the same as that in S1402. In S1505, the controller unit 402calculates the height of one copy of printed materials of the job(height of printed materials necessary to print one copy of the job) onthe basis of the thickness of one medium from the medium informationtable (FIG. 2). The process in S1505 is also the same as that in S1403,and details thereof will be omitted.

In S1506, the controller unit 402 performs calculation based on thethickness of printed materials processible at once by the cuttingmachine 103, which corresponds to the information acquired in S1503, andthe height of one copy of printed materials, which corresponds to theinformation acquired in S1505. For example, when the cutting machine 103is to cut printed materials of the job, the controller unit 402calculates a maximum copy count which does not exceed an amount (heightof printed materials) processible at once by the cutting machine 103.This means that the controller unit 402 executes in S1506 calculationwhich considers a post-step (post-process) to be executed by a near-linepost-processing apparatus in the job after a printing process by theprinting apparatus 101.

The controller unit 402 causes the printing apparatus 101 to print thejob on condition that the operator presses the start key 606 after theabove-described process in S913. As the printing operation, a process inS1507 is executed. More specifically, the controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system so as to inhibit sorting of printed materials everyprinted bundle of one copy and sort a printed bundle of the job at thecopy count calculated in S1506, as the printing operation of the jobrequiring sorting of printed materials by post-step designation.

A concrete example of the above process will be explained. For example,plain paper is designated as the medium, and the thickness of printedmaterials processible at once by the cutting machine 103 is 100 mm whenthe post-processing device performance table is looked up. A printingcondition to copy 50 copies of a 100-page original is set. Since thethickness of plain paper is 0.05 mm/sheet from the medium informationtable in FIG. 2, the thickness of one copy of printed materials is0.05×100 pages=5 mm. As a result, 100 mm/5 mm=20, and a maximum of 20copies (=sorting amount) can be stacked.

The printing results of the job by the system in the process of FIG. 15are as follows.

[Results] A printed bundle of one copy (one set) of 100 paper sheets iscreated on which a series of document image data from the first page tothe last page (100th page) of the job are printed page by page in pageorder. A printed bundle containing a total of 20 sets is created as aprinted bundle of one classification without sorting printed bundlesevery set. A total of two printed bundles each formed from oneclassification including printed bundles of 20 sets without sorting themare stacked on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) whilethese printed bundles are classified every classification. Further,printed bundles of 10 sets are stacked over the printed bundle of thesecond classification on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722)without sorting the printed bundles of 10 sets. Printing results in thisstacking state can be obtained by the printing system.

Note that the control example based on the process in the flowchart ofFIG. 15 corresponds to that in FIG. 31.

As is apparent from the above description, the first embodiment executescontrol which considers a post-step (post-process) such as cutting workor delivery work using a non-in-line post-processing apparatus(non-in-line post-processing unit). For example, in the firstembodiment, the controller unit 402 of the printing apparatus 101executes control which considers a post-process using a non-in-linepost-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit) necessaryafter printing by the printing apparatus 101 in a job to be printed bythe printing apparatus 101. Consequently, the first embodiment canattain an effect capable of minimizing, by control disclosed in theprinting system, work of the operator that is needed in a post-stepusing a non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-linepost-processing unit). The first embodiment can realize efficient workby reducing the work load of the operator at the actual work site in aprinting environment such as the POD environment where use cases anduser needs are different from those in the office environment.

The first embodiment can minimize, by control disclosed in the printingsystem, work of the operator that is required in a post-step using anon-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processingunit). Thus, an increase in the total working efficiency of jobs andreduction of working cost can be expected in a printing environment suchas the POD environment where it is important to efficiently process manyjobs.

The first embodiment can prevent problems such as a problem of causing anon-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)to process printed materials more than a printed material amount (e.g.,the number of print sheets or the thickness of printed materials of onebundle) which is limited in advance on the basis of the performance ofthe non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processingunit). Also, the first embodiment can suppress human errors such asdamage of the non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-linepost-processing unit) by the above problems. Since such problems can besuppressed, risk coming with work can also be reduced. Further, forexample, even a POD operator other than an experienced operator who isfamiliar with a non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-linepost-processing unit) can easily execute a post-step using thenon-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)for materials printed by the printing apparatus 101.

As described above, the printing system in the first embodimentcomprises the following constituent elements.

For example, the printing system can stack materials printed by theprinting apparatus 101 on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray722).

The system allows the operator to explicitly input, for each job,instruction information which considers a post-process using anon-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)necessary after a printing process in a job requiring the printingprocess by the printing apparatus 101. For this purpose, the systemcomprises the controller unit 402 which executes control of causing theoperation unit 404 to display operation windows that are illustrated inFIGS. 11 to 13 and allow the operator to explicitly input, for each job,instruction information.

On the premise of this configuration, for example, the operatorexplicitly inputs instruction information for one job to be processedvia the display in one of FIGS. 11 to 13 that is executed on theoperation unit 404 by the controller unit 402. In this case, thecontroller unit 402 inhibits stacking of printed materials of the job onthe stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while these printedmaterials are classified every printed materials of one copy. Thecontroller unit 402 stacks printed materials of the job on the stackingunit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while these printed materials areclassified every printed materials on the basis of the instructioninformation explicitly input by the operator for the job.

On the premise of this configuration, for example, the operator does notexplicitly input the instruction information for one job to be processedvia the display in one of FIGS. 11 to 13 that is executed on theoperation unit 404 by the controller unit 402. In this case, thecontroller unit 402 inhibits stacking of printed materials of the job onthe stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while these printedmaterials are classified every printed materials on the basis ofinstruction information. For example, the controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system so as to stack printed materials of the job on thestacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722) while classifying theseprinted materials every printed materials of one copy.

As described above, the printing system allows the operator toexplicitly input, for each job, instruction information via the UI unitof the printing apparatus 101 itself. The controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system so as to execute the above-described classificationoperation selectively for each job to be processed on the basis of thepresence/absence of instruction information or the like.

As described above, the instruction information is explicitly input foreach job by the operator via the UI unit. More specifically, asdescribed above, the instruction information is “instruction informationwhich considers a post-process (post-step) using a non-in-linepost-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit) necessaryafter a printing process by the printing apparatus 101 in a job to beprocessed”. In the first embodiment, as described above, the instructioninformation corresponds to at least the following pieces of instructioninformation. Note that various types of instruction information to bedescribed below are contained in the above instruction information.These pieces of instruction information are different in instructionstyle, and thus are treated as a plurality of types of instructioninformation in different instruction styles.

[First Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[entry information corresponding to the designated copy count (X)] whichis explicitly input manually by the operator for each job via the copycount input field 1204 displayed on the operation unit 404 by thecontroller unit 402.

[Second Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[height information corresponding to a value obtained by expressing theamount of printed materials by height] which is explicitly inputmanually by the operator for each job via the “sort by height” button1102 displayed on the operation unit 404 by the controller unit 402.

[Third Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[post-step information on the processing capability of a non-in-linepost-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)] which canbe explicitly input manually by the operator for each job via the listin FIG. 13 displayed on the operation unit 404 by the controller unit402.

Note that the first embodiment assumes that the entry (X) correspondingto the first type instruction information is a natural number (positiveinteger) of at least 2 or more. In other words, in the first embodiment,an entry “1” does not correspond to “instruction information whichconsiders a post-step”. This is because setting of “1” designated copycount means classification of printed materials every copy. This processis less likely to classify printed materials in a unit corresponding toa prospective post-step in a printing environment such as the PODenvironment. However, this setting does not always apply as far as eventhe entry “1” serving as a designated copy count corresponds toinformation which considers a post-process necessary after a printingprocess by the printing apparatus 101 in a job to be processed. In thiscase, even the entry “1” serving as a designated copy count may becontained in [first type instruction information].

As described above, the printing system in the first embodiment canexecute control operations corresponding to all the three types ofinstruction information. However, the printing system may be configuredto execute only one type of control corresponding to one of the threetypes of instruction information. Alternatively, the printing system maybe configured to execute two types of control corresponding to two ofthe three types of instruction information. Any configuration fallswithin the scope of the present invention as far as controlcorresponding to at least one type of instruction information can beexecuted. This has been described in control examples illustrated inFIGS. 26 to 38. The UI unit (user interface unit) of the printingapparatus 101 itself can provide at least a UI function provided by thefirst embodiment. In addition, the operator can explicitly input theabove-mentioned instruction information for each job via the UI unit(user interface unit) of the printing apparatus 101 itself. Further, theprinting system can execute control based on the instruction informationexplicitly input by the operator via the UI unit (user interface unit)of the printing apparatus 101 itself for a job to be processed. Theprinting system is desirably configured in this manner. Thisconfiguration assumes the following situations and achieves thefollowing effects.

For example, the POD environment is a printing environment which tendsto be different from the office environment in use cases and user needs.It is common practice in the office environment that the user instructsthe printing apparatus to print his document in accordance with hisinstruction, and goes to receive his material printed by the printingapparatus. In the POD environment, in most cases, one who requestscreation of a printed material is a customer, and one who instructs theprinting apparatus (or the printing system having the printingapparatus) to create the printed material is an operator engaged at thework site in the POD environment. In many cases, in the POD environment,unlike the office environment, an operator who instructs the printingapparatus (or the printing system having the printing apparatus) to runfor a job to be processed is not one who receives the final material ofthe job.

In a printing environment such as the POD environment, a situation isassumed in which the printing apparatus is installed at the work site,and a dedicated post-processing apparatus such as a cutting machine isinstalled independently of the printing apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 1and 16 in the embodiment. In this printing environment, assumable worksteps necessary for a job to be processed are work of cutting, with thecutting machine, materials printed by the printing apparatus, and workof packing printed materials in a box. Even after a process for a targetjob by the printing apparatus (or the printing system having theprinting apparatus) ends, steps to be performed for the job after theprinting step by the printing apparatus may exist. At the work site, theoperator may take out, from the delivery portion of the printingapparatus, materials which are printed by the printing apparatus andstacked on the delivery portion of the printing apparatus. To performsteps such as cutting and box packing, the operator may rearrange orsort printed materials. As described above, in a printing environmentsuch as the POD environment, intervention work by the operator is oftenrequired for a job to be processed after the end of a printing processby the printing apparatus. In addition, many operations may be requestedof the operator in intervention work by the operator that is necessaryfor a job to be processed after a printing process.

Moreover, in a printing environment such as the POD environment, it isassumed to efficiently process a plurality of jobs in real time in orderto satisfy requests from a larger number of customers by quick deliverywithin short periods. In this case, the operator may always stay infront of the printing apparatus. If any factor which influencesproductivity occurs, the operator must quickly cope with the factor atthe work site. The situation in which the operator must deal with anyfactor at the printing work site in order to maintain high productivityis as follows.

For example, many print jobs are scheduled in advance in order to meetdelivery dates, many print jobs are input in advance to the memory 405of the printing apparatus 101 according to the schedule, and anotherurgent print job must be printed suddenly.

As another example, a post-processing apparatus (post-processing unit)available at the work site where the printing apparatus 101 is installedchanges before and after a print job to be processed is input to theprinting apparatus 101. For example, a non-in-line post-processingapparatus (post-processing unit) which did not exist at the work sitebefore a print job is input to the printing apparatus 101 is newlyintroduced into the work site after the print job is input to theapparatus 101. Alternatively, a post-processing apparatus(post-processing unit) which is unavailable because it is out of orderor is in use by another job becomes available immediately before orafter a print job to be processed is input to the printing apparatus101.

As described above, in a printing environment such as the PODenvironment, the operator may quickly deal with any factor at the worksite in order to maintain high productivity.

In order to contend with this situation, demands arise for aconfiguration capable of explicitly accepting various requests from theoperator via the operation unit 404 of the printing apparatus 101 whichis highly likely to exist at a position nearest to a position where theoperator who actually works at the work site exists. Also, demands arisefor a configuration capable of flexibly, dynamically handling a job withthe above configuration even upon a change in situation that may occurat the work site in the POD environment and influences productivity.Furthermore, demands arise for a configuration capable of quickly copingat the work site with a situation in which the order of jobs to beprocessed or the process conditions of a job to be processed must bechanged suddenly.

In other words, when the above-mentioned situation occurs, no promptaction can be taken and no demand can be satisfied with a configurationwhich cannot meet these demands. This leads to a fatal problem in aprinting environment where the productivity of jobs is important, suchas the POD environment by a POD company which does business with a meritof a short delivery period.

More specifically, the POD operator must often move between the printingapparatus 101 and an external apparatus such as a PC unless variousrequests can be accepted directly from the POD operator via theoperation unit 404 of the printing apparatus. Such unwanted action maypose a problem in a printing environment such as the POD environmentwhere it is important to process a plurality of jobs at highproductivity.

Considering the above-described matters, it is desired to flexibly copewith even a printing environment where one who receives a final materialand one who requests an operation of the printing apparatus or printingsystem in order to create the final material are different, similar tothe relationship between the customer and the operator in the PODenvironment. For this purpose, it is preferable to provide a flexibleuser interface environment more friendly to an operator who actuallyoperates the printing apparatus in the first embodiment (in other words,the printing system having the printing apparatus in the firstembodiment).

In particular, the first embodiment achieves an effect capable ofincreasing the efficiency of intervention work of an operator whoengages in a post-process necessary after printing by the printingapparatus 101 in a job to be processed in a printing environment such asthe POD environment. In addition, an excellent operation environmentwhere an increase in the efficiency of intervention work of an operatorwho engages in a post-process necessary after printing is considered andthe operator' will is respected as much as possible can be provided viathe UI unit of the printing apparatus 101 to the operator who operatesthe printing apparatus 101. The first embodiment achieves an effectcapable of constructing a highly convenient user interface environmentin consideration of a printing environment such as the POD environment.The printing system is desirably configured to obtain these two effectsconsidering a printing environment such as the POD environment.

The configuration of the first embodiment can deal with theabove-described situations, problems, and demands. More specifically, anoperation environment which satisfies not only the office environmentbut also the POD operator can be provided via the operation unit 404 ofthe printing apparatus 101.

As a mechanism for obtaining the above effects, the configuration of thefirst embodiment is preferable. Note that the above-described mattersalso apply to various control examples to be described with reference toFIG. 26 and subsequent drawings, and are common throughout thisspecification.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment has mainly explained sorting when a documentscanned by the scanner unit is copied by the digital multi-functionalperipheral (printing apparatus 101). However, the present invention isnot limited to this, and can also be applied to sorting when image dataheld in a client PC is printed by a digital multi-functional peripheral.According to the configuration of the second embodiment, the sameeffects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by an operationfrom an external apparatus spaced apart from the printing apparatus. Forexample, according to the second embodiment, the same control as thatexecuted by the controller unit 402 in the first embodiment is executedmainly by the control unit (e.g., a central processing unit 802 in FIG.8) of a client PC serving as an example of the external apparatus.Further, according to the second embodiment, the same function as theuser interface function provided by the operation unit 404 in the firstembodiment can be provided using the UI unit (e.g., an input device 805and display device 806 in FIG. 8) of the client PC serving as an exampleof the external apparatus.

For example, when the copy function of the printing apparatus 101 is tobe used, the display unit 605 of the printing apparatus displays anoperation window for performing various setting operations associatedwith sorting, as described above. To the contrary, the configuration tobe described in the second embodiment utilizes a print function ofprinting by transmitting image data to be printed from a client PC to aprinting apparatus 101. In this case, various settings on sorting aremade via a window displayed on the client PC operated by the PC operatorbefore a print job is input. Details of the second embodiment will bedescribed below.

<Configuration of Printed Material Publishing System>

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a printed material publishingsystem having an image printing apparatus (digital multi-functionalperipheral) and an information processing apparatus (client PC)according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note thatthe printed material publishing system to be described below alsoassumes an actual work site in a printing environment such as the PODenvironment where the printing system can be installed.

In FIG. 16, reference numeral 1601 denotes a digital multi-functionalperipheral (image printing apparatus) which prints on the basis of aprint job; and 1603, a client PC which inputs a print job; and 1602, aserver which manages a print job. These devices are examples of aninformation processing apparatus corresponding to an external apparatusof the printing system according to the second embodiment. Referencenumerals 1604 to 1606 denote cutting machines for performing cuttingwork as a post-process after a printing process. These devices arecommunicably connected to each other via a network 1607.

Note that the image forming apparatus 101 in FIG. 1 and the imageforming apparatus 1601 in FIG. 16 are identical to each other, and adescription of the internal configuration will be omitted. In otherwords, the apparatus 1601 comprises, as constituent elements, unitsidentical to those illustrated in FIG. 4 including at least theoperation unit 404, controller unit 402, memory 405, and printer unit403. The image forming apparatus (also called an image printingapparatus or printing apparatus) in the second embodiment is amulti-functional apparatus having a plurality of functions such as thecopy function, print function, and box function, but the configurationis not particularly limited. For example, the second embodiment can beapplied to even a single-functional image forming apparatus such as anapparatus having only the copy function, or an apparatus having a printfunction of printing data from a PC.

<Process Flow in Client PC in Printing>

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the client PC 1603 whenthe digital multi-functional peripheral 1601 prints on the basis ofimage data transmitted from the client PC 1603. The following process isexecuted by a printer driver (printer driver for the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 1601) installed in the client PC 1603. Forexample, control for executing various processes illustrated in FIG. 17by the client PC 1603 is executed mainly by the control unit(corresponding to, e.g., the central processing unit 802 in FIG. 8) ofthe client PC 1603. A control program for executing a process in theflowchart of FIG. 17 is stored in the memory (corresponding to, e.g., acontrol memory 801 in FIG. 8) of the client PC 1603. This controlprogram is downloaded from an external Web page when the client PC 1603accesses the Web page using a network. Alternatively, when a storagemedium (e.g., a CD-ROM) removable from the client PC 1603 is set in theclient PC 1603, the control program is downloaded from the storagemedium. In either case, the configuration is arbitrary as far as thecontrol program can be read out and executed by the control unit of theclient PC 1603.

It should be noted in advance that the “user” described in the followingflowchart of FIG. 17 means the operator of the client PC 1603 whoremote-controls the printing apparatus 1601 via the UI unit (inputdevice 805 and display device 806 in FIG. 8) of the client PC 1603.Various UI windows (UI windows in FIGS. 18 to 22) subjected to displaycontrol in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 17 are displayed on thedisplay unit (corresponding to, e.g., the display device 806 in FIG. 8)of the client PC 1603 by the control unit of the client PC 1603. Theprocess of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 23 is executed mainly bythe printing apparatus 1601. That is, control associated with variousprocesses of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 23 is executed mainly bythe control unit (corresponding to, e.g., a controller unit 402 in FIG.4) of the printing apparatus 1601. On this premise, the flowchart inFIG. 17 will be explained.

If a print instruction is input from the user, a print setting windowshown in FIG. 18 is displayed in step S1701. The print setting window(FIG. 18) has a sorting method selection key 1801. In step S1702, it isdetermined whether the sorting method selection key 1801 has beenpressed.

If it is determined in step S1702 that a print key 1803 has been pressedwithout pressing the sorting method selection key 1801, the flowadvances to step S1723 to transmit, to the digital multi-functionalperipheral 1601 via the server 1602, a print job to which settingcontents (in this case, setting contents except the sorting method) inthe printing system window (FIG. 18) are added.

If it is determined in step S1702 that the sorting method selection key1801 has been pressed, the flow advances to step S1703 to display asorting method selection window shown in FIG. 19. The sorting methodselection window (FIG. 19) displays a “sort by copy count” button 1901,“sort by height” button 1902, “designate post-step” button 1903, and“AUTO” button 1904. The user can select an arbitrary sorting method.

In step S1704, it is determined whether the “sort by copy count” button1901 has been pressed. If it is determined that the “sort by copy count”button 1901 has been pressed, the flow advances to step S1705 to displaya copy count sorting setting window 2001 shown in FIG. 20.

The copy count sorting setting window 2001 displays an “every copy”button 2002 and “every designated copies” 2003, and the user can selecteither button. The “every copy” button 2002 is used to sort printedmaterials every copy upon printing. The “every designated copies” 2003is used to sort printed materials at a copy count input in a copy countinput field 2004.

In step S1706, it is determined whether the “every copy” button 2002 hasbeen selected. If it is determined that the “every copy” button 2002 hasbeen selected, and then the print key 1803 is pressed, the flow advancesto step S1707 to add to a print job a description of printing andsorting every copy, and transmit the print job to the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 1601 via the server 1602.

If it is determined in step S1706 that the “every copy” button 2002 hasnot been selected, the flow advances to step S1709 to determine whetherthe “every designated copies” 2003 has been selected. If it isdetermined that the “every designated copies” 2003 has been selected,and then the print key 1803 is pressed, the flow advances to step S1710to add to a print job a description of printing and sorting at a copycount input in the copy count input field 2004, and transmit the printjob to the digital multi-functional peripheral 1601 via the server 1602.

If it is determined in step S1704 that the “sort by copy count” button1901 has not been pressed, the flow advances to step S1712 to determinewhether the “sort by height” button 1902 has been pressed. If it isdetermined in step S1712 that the “sort by height” button 1902 has beenpressed, and then the print key 1803 is pressed, the flow advances tostep S1713 to add to a print job a description of printing and sortingso as to arrange printed materials to a predetermined height, andtransmit the print job to the digital multi-functional peripheral 1601via the server 1602.

If it is determined in step S1712 that the “sort by height” button 1902has not been pressed, the flow advances to step S1715 to determinewhether the “designate post-step” button 1903 has been pressed. If it isdetermined in step S1715 that the “designate post-step” button 1903 hasbeen pressed, the flow advances to step S1716 to display a post-stepdesignation mode window shown in FIG. 21.

The post-step designation mode window displays a plurality of lists. Inthe second embodiment, a cutting process by the cutting machine 1604 isdone as a post-step after a printing process by the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 1601. Post-steps include, e.g., a boxpacking process in addition to the cutting process, and these processcontents are displayed in the post-step designation mode window.

If a post-step is selected in the post-step designation mode window andthen the print key 1803 is pressed, a description of printing andsorting on the basis of a post-processing device performance tablecorresponding to the list selected in the post-step designation modewindow is added to a print job, and the print job is transmitted to thedigital multi-functional peripheral 1601 via the server 1602 in stepS1717.

If it is determined in step S1715 that the “designate post-step” button1903 has not been pressed, the flow advances to step S1719 to determinewhether the “AUTO” button 1904 has been pressed. If it is determinedthat the “AUTO” button 1904 has been pressed, the flow advances to stepS1720 to display an AUTO sync mode window shown in FIG. 22.

If the print key 1803 is pressed, information on the currently setpost-step is added to a print job, and the print job is transmitted tothe digital multi-functional peripheral 1601 via the server 1602 in stepS1721.

<Process Flow in Digital Multi-Functional Peripheral in Printing>

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 1601 when the digital multi-functionalperipheral 1601 prints on the basis of a print job transmitted from theclient PC 1603.

In step S2301, it is determined whether a print job has been received.If it is determined that a print job has been received, the flowadvances to step S2302. In step S2302, it is determined whether thereceived print job contains information on sorting designation. If it isdetermined that the received print job does not contain any informationon sorting designation, the flow advances to step S2303 to print on thebasis of the print job without sorting.

If it is determined in step S2302 that the received print job containsinformation on sorting designation, the flow advances to step S2304 todetermine whether the information on sorting designation is adescription of “sort every copy”.

If it is determined in step S2304 that the information is a descriptionof “sort every copy”, the flow advances to step S2305 to print and sortprinted materials every copy.

If it is determined in step S2304 that the information is not adescription of “sort every copy”, the flow advances to step S2306 todetermine whether the information is a description of “sort everydesignated copies”. If it is determined that the information is adescription of “sort every designated copies”, the flow advances to stepS2307 to print and sort printed materials every designated copies.

If it is determined in step S2306 that the information is not adescription of “sort every designated copies”, the flow advances to stepS2308 to determine whether the information is a description of “sort byheight designation”. If it is determined in step S2308 that theinformation is a description of “sort by height designation”, the flowadvances to step S2309 to calculate a sorting copy count on the basis ofthe designated height and medium type, print, and sort printed materialsat the sorting copy count. Note that contents of the sorting process arethe same as those in steps S1402 to S1405 of FIG. 14, and a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S2308 that the information is not adescription of “sort by height designation”, the flow advances to stepS2310 to determine whether the information is a setting of “sort bypost-step designation”. If it is determined in step S2310 that theinformation is a setting of “sort by post-step designation”, the flowadvances to step S2311 to print and sort printed materials on the basisof the post-step (cutting process in the second embodiment). Note thatcontents of the sorting process are the same as those in steps S1502 toS1508 of FIG. 15, and a description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S2310 that the information is not adescription of “sort by post-step designation”, the flow advances tostep S2312 to determine whether the information is a description of“auto sort”. If it is determined in step S2312 that the information is adescription of “auto sort”, the flow advances to step S2313 to print andautomatically sort printed materials, details of which will be describedbelow.

<Flow of Automatic Sorting Process>

Details of automatic sorting printing in step S2313 will be explained.FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of a detailed process ofautomatic sorting printing. In step S2401, information on a post-stepcontained in a received print job is acquired. FIG. 25 is a tableshowing an example of a print job transmitted to the digitalmulti-functional peripheral 1601 when the “AUTO” button 1904 is pressed.As shown in FIG. 25, information on a post-step (in this case, a cuttingprocess by the cutting machine 1604) is described.

In step S2402, post-processing device Performance table informationshown in FIG. 3 is looked up. In step S2403, the height of printedmaterials processible at once by the cutting machine 1604 is grasped onthe basis of the post-processing device performance table information.

In step S2404, the thickness of one designated medium is acquired fromthe medium information table shown in FIG. 2. In step S2405, the heightof one copy of printed materials is calculated on the basis of theheight of printed materials processible at once by the cutting machine1604, and the thickness of one medium in the medium information table.

In step S2406, the maximum copy count which does not exceed the heightprocessible at once by the cutting machine 1604 is calculated on thebasis of the height of printed materials processible at once by thecutting machine 1604, and the height of one copy of printed materials.

In step S2407, it is set to print and sort printed materials at the copycount calculated in step S2406.

A concrete example of the above process will be explained. For example,plain paper is designated as the medium, and the height of printedmaterials processible at once by the cutting machine 1604 is 100 mm inthe post-processing device performance table. Printing of 50 copies eachformed from 100-page image data is set as a printing condition. Sincethe thickness of plain paper is 0.05 mm/sheet from the mediuminformation table in FIG. 2, the thickness of one copy of printedmaterials is 0.05×100 pages=5 mm. As a result, 100 mm/5 mm=20, and amaximum of 20 copies of printed materials can be stacked.

When the print key 1803 is pressed to execute printing of 50 copies,discharged printed materials are sorted into two piles each of 20 copiesand one pile of 10 copies.

A further explanation will be omitted because an explanation necessaryfor the second embodiment except the above one is the same as anexplanation in other embodiments including the first embodiment otherthan the second embodiment, or can be understood by properly developingand applying the above explanation.

As described above, the second embodiment can achieve various effectsdescribed in the first embodiment, and can also exhibit the same effectsas various effects described in the first embodiment even for a printjob for which execution of printing is requested from an externalapparatus in the printing system of the second embodiment. For example,when a print job transmitted from the client PC is to be printed,sorting of materials printed by the digital multi-functional peripheralis determined in consideration of a post-step such as cutting work ordelivery work, reducing the work load of the operator in the post-step.

Along with reduction of the work load of the operator in the post-step,a higher working efficiency of the entire printed material publishingwork can be expected, and working cost can be reduced.

Since the post-step device processes printed materials of more than asheet count or thickness limited on the basis of the performance of thepost-step device, human errors such as damage of the device can beprevented, and risk coming with work can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, [first type instruction information] to [thirdtype instruction information] described in the first embodiment areinput via the UI unit of an external apparatus such as the client PC1603. These pieces of information have been described above, but will besummarized below with reference to the computer-side block diagram ofFIG. 8. Similar to the first embodiment, these pieces of information arecontained in “instruction information which considers a post-process(post-step) using a non-in-line post-processing apparatus (non-in-linepost-processing unit) necessary after a printing process by the printingapparatus of the embodiment in a job to be processed”.

[First Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[entry information corresponding to the designated copy count (X)] whichcan be explicitly input manually by the operator of the client PC 1603for each job via the copy count input field 2004 in FIG. 20 displayed onthe display device 806 of the client PC 1603 by the central processingunit 802 of the client PC 1603. This information is an example of thefirst type instruction information to be input via the UI unit of anexternal apparatus in the second embodiment.

[Second Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[height information corresponding to a value obtained by expressing theamount of printed materials by height] which can be explicitly inputmanually by the operator of the client PC 1603 for each job via the“sort by height” button 1902 in FIG. 19 displayed on the display device806 of the client PC 1603 by the central processing unit 802 of theclient PC 1603. This information is an example of the second typeinstruction information to be input via the UI unit of an externalapparatus in the second embodiment.

[Third Type Instruction Information] This instruction information is[post-step information on the processing capability of a non-in-linepost-processing apparatus (non-in-line post-processing unit)] which canbe explicitly input manually by the operator of the client PC 1603 foreach job via the list in FIG. 21 displayed on the display device 806 ofthe client PC 1603 by the central processing unit 802 of the client PC1603. This information is an example of the third type instructioninformation to be input via the UI unit of an external apparatus in thesecond embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the UI unit is the operation unit 404 having atouch panel type display unit, so the operator directly operates displaybuttons. In the second embodiment, the operator inputs the instructioninformation with the input device 805 such as a pointer or mouse.Although the first and second embodiments are slightly different inconfiguration, it is desirable that the configuration does not departfrom the gist of the present invention.

It is common to the first and second embodiments that even aconfiguration other than one which satisfies all the three types ofinstruction information also falls within the applicable scope of thepresent invention. In other words, only a configuration which copes withone of the three types of instruction information may be adopted.Alternatively, only a configuration which copes with two types ofinstruction information may be adopted. The configuration is arbitraryif it does not depart from the gist of the present invention.

The second embodiment can obtain various effects described above evenfor a job for which execution of printing is accepted from the operatorvia the UI unit of an external apparatus such as the client PC. Sincethe second embodiment achieves these effects in addition to those of thefirst embodiment, various effects described in this specification can befurther enhanced.

Third Embodiment

The first embodiment has described the use of a so-called copy functionof printing a document scanned by the scanner unit 401. That is, thefirst embodiment has been explained in regard to a job to be processedwith a function of accepting a printing execution request from theoperator via the operation unit 404, scanning a document by the scannerunit 401, and then printing print data of the document. This print datameans, e.g., scanned image data. The second embodiment has described theuse of a so-called print function of printing print data transmittedfrom a client PC. That is, the second embodiment has been explained inregard to a job to be processed with a function of accepting a printingexecution request from the operator via the UI unit of an externalapparatus, and printing print data transmitted from the externalapparatus. An example of this print data is PDL data which istransmitted from a computer and requires an expansion process into abitmap image in the printing apparatus. However, the present inventionis not limited to these embodiments. For example, the same control canalso be executed even for a job to be processed with the box function ofthe multi-functional printing apparatus 101. The box function is to saveall pages of print data input from the scanner unit 401 or an externalapparatus (e.g., the client PC 1603) in a memory (e.g., the hard disk ofthe memory 405) capable of storing print data of jobs, while expandingthese data into bitmap data. When the operator inputs a printingexecution request via the operation unit 404 using the box function,printing of print data saved in the hard disk of the memory 405 ispermitted. In inputting a printing execution request, print data arepresented as selection candidates via the operation unit 404, and one ora plurality of desired print data are selected from the presented printdata. For a job to be printed, a desired printing condition is acceptedvia the operation unit 404. When the operator inputs a printingexecution request via the operation unit 404, the print data of the jobcan be printed by the printer unit 403 under the set printing processcondition. The print data of the job to be processed with the boxfunction are not erased from the hard disk of the memory 405 unlessotherwise specified by the operator via the operation unit 404. Evenafter printing by the printer unit 403, the print data are held in thememory. Thus, the print data can be printed again every time theoperator inputs a printing execution request via the operation unit 404.These control operations are also executed mainly by the controller unit402. The box function provides this functions. The configurationdescribed in the first embodiment can also be applied to even a job tobe processed with the box function. The following description withreference to FIGS. 26 to 38 is also related to an example of the thirdembodiment. By exploiting the box function, the following controlapplication with reference to FIGS. 39 to 41 can also be executed in thethird embodiment, which will be described later.

On the basis of the configurations of the above-described embodiments,various control operations which can be executed by an image formingsystem (synonymous with a printing system) having an image formingapparatus (synonymous with a printing apparatus) disclosed in the thirdembodiment will be explained with concrete control examples.

A printing apparatus 101 (printing apparatus 1601 in FIG. 16) in theprinting system according to the third embodiment comprises a storageunit such as a hard disk capable of storing data of jobs. For example,the printing apparatus 101 accepts job data from a scanner unit 401 ofthe apparatus. Also, the printing apparatus 101 accepts job data from anexternal apparatus (including apparatuses such as an informationprocessing apparatus (e.g., a client PC 102 in FIG. 1 or a client PC1603 or server 1602 in FIG. 16) and another printing apparatus) via acommunication unit such as a network 104. In this manner, the printingapparatus 101 in the third embodiment can accept, from different inputpaths, a plurality of types of job data requiring execution of aprinting process.

A controller unit 402 of the printing apparatus 101 stores a series ofimage data of jobs accepted via various data input paths in the internalhard disk of a memory 405 shown in FIG. 4 for each job in associationwith a series of process condition data set by the user.

The controller unit 402 accepts, distinctively for each job, a series ofprocess condition data set by the user (synonymous with the operator)for the job to be processed via various user interface units such as anoperation unit 404 of the apparatus 101 and the operation unit of anexternal apparatus. The controller unit 402 acquires, from variousrelevant units in the apparatus 101, various management information datastored in the management tables of FIGS. 2 and 3 and the like, andvarious determination information data such as status information of theapparatus. On the basis of these pieces of determination information,the controller unit 402 controls various operations in the printingsystem including the printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment.

For example, the controller unit 402 causes a printer unit 403 to printdata of a job to be processed that is stored in the hard disk of thememory, in accordance with a series of process condition data set by theuser.

In this configuration, for example, the printing apparatus 101 accepts ajob (to be referred to as job A hereinafter) of a series of 4-pagedocument data.

For example, job A has a series of process conditions as processconditions set by the operator via a user interface window: (1) “outputpaper size=A4 size”, (2) “paper type=plain paper”, (3) “output copycount=50 copies”, and (4) “single-sided printing is executed.” as asetting of whether to perform single- or double-sided printing.

The thickness of one output paper sheet (synonymous with the printmedium) is 0.1 mm. A total of output paper sheets necessary to processjob A is 4 pages×50 copies=200 sheets. The height of sheets of job Awhen all the sheets (synonymous with print media) of job A aredischarged onto the tray (a delivery tray 722 or stacking tray 723 inFIG. 7) is 200 sheets×0.1 mm=20 mm (2 cm).

For job A to be processed, for example, a “mode in which printedmaterials are sorted every copy” is set as a sheet process mode by theoperator.

When job A is input from the scanner unit 401 of the apparatus 101, theuser interface for the job is the operation unit 404.

Hence, when such a job is accepted, the controller unit 402 causes adisplay unit 605 of the operation unit 404 to display the window in FIG.10. In response to press of a sorter key 1009 in the window by theoperator, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to displaythe window in FIG. 11. In response to press of a “sort by copy count”button 1101 in the window of FIG. 11 by the operator, the controllerunit 402 causes the display unit 605 to display a copy count sortingsetting window 1201 shown in FIG. 12. In response to press of an “everycopy” button 1202 in the copy count sorting setting window 1201 by theoperator, the controller unit 402 sets the “mode in which printedmaterials are sorted every copy” for the job.

After the operator executes the series of operation procedures via theoperation unit 404 serving as an example of the user interface unit inthe third embodiment, he presses the start key 606. In response to theoperator's operation, the controller unit 402 determines that job Areceived from the scanner unit 401 is a job for which the user has setthe “mode in which printed materials are sorted every copy”. In otherwords, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system so as totreat the target job A as a “job requiring printing of plural copies intotal and a classification process every printed materials of one copy”.

When job A is input via a network 1607 from a client PC 1603 in FIG. 16serving as an example of an external apparatus spaced apart from theapparatus 101, the keyboard, mouse, and display of the client PC 1603correspond to a user interface unit for the job.

In the third embodiment, when a job is accepted from a host computer, aninstruction from the operator of the computer can be accepted via aprinter driver which is displayed on the display unit of the computerfor the printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment. For example, inresponse to a key input operation by the operator of the client PC 1603,the control unit (central processing unit 802 in FIG. 8) of the clientPC 1603 causes the display unit of the client PC 1603 to display theprinter driver window of the printing apparatus 101 in FIG. 18.

In response to press of a sorting method selection key 1801 in thewindow of FIG. 18 by the user of the client PC 1603 with the pointingdevice, the control unit of the client PC 1603 causes the display unitof the client PC 1603 to display the window in FIG. 19. In response topress of a “sort by copy count” button 1901 in the window of FIG. 19 bythe user of the client PC 1603, the control unit of the client PC 1603causes the display unit of the client PC 1603 to display a copy countsorting setting window 2001 shown in FIG. 20. In response to selectionof an “every copy” button 2002 in the copy count sorting setting window2001 by the user of the client PC 1603, the control unit of the clientPC 1603 sets the “mode in which printed materials are sorted every copy”for the job.

After the user of the client PC 1603 executes the series of operationprocedures via the display unit of the client PC 1603 serving as anexample of the user interface unit in the third embodiment, he presses aprint key 1803 in FIG. 18. Then, the control unit of the client PC 1603transmits, from the client PC 1603 to the printing apparatus 101, jobdata containing a series of 4-page document data to be processed. Atthis time, the control unit of the client PC 1603 also transmits, to theapparatus 101 in association with the document data, a series of processcondition data for the job that are set by the user via the printerdriver.

The printing apparatus 101 receives the job data containing the seriesof process condition data and print data, and the controller unit 402analyzes the command of the data. On the basis of the analysis result ofthe data from the external apparatus, the controller unit 402 determinesthat the job received from the external apparatus is a job for which theuser has set the “mode in which printed materials are sorted everycopy”. By this method, the controller unit 402 determines a job acceptedfrom the external apparatus as a “job requiring printing of pluralcopies in total and a classification process every printed materials ofone copy”.

As described above, the printing apparatus 101 in the third embodimentcan accept both job data generated by the data generation device(scanner unit 401 in the third embodiment) of the printing apparatus 101and job data generated by an external data generation device (e.g., ahost computer or another image forming apparatus).

Data of a job to be processed for which the “mode in which printedmaterials are sorted every copy” is set is stored in the hard disk ofthe memory 405, and processed by the apparatus 101. As a process for thejob data, the controller unit 402 of the apparatus 101 controls theprinting system so as to execute the process as shown in FIG. 26 by theapparatus 101.

(Case 1) shown in FIG. 26 exhibits the contents described above. Thecontroller unit 402 causes the printer unit 403 to print 50 copies ofjob A containing a series of 4-page document data by single-sidedprinting on the basis of an instruction from the operator. Thecontroller unit 402 causes discharge rollers 717 of the apparatus 101 toconvey, into a sheet processing apparatus 720 of the apparatus 101, asheet (synonymous with a print medium or printed material) of job A thatis printed by the printer unit 403. The controller unit 402 sequentiallystacks printed materials of job A on, e.g., a delivery tray 722. Thecontroller unit 402 controls the printing system so as to execute theseries of operations for job A.

In the example of FIG. 26, the “mode in which printed materials aresorted every copy” is set for job A to be processed. In other words, jobA is a “job requiring printing of a total of 50 copies and aclassification process of printed materials every printed materials ofone copy”. When sheets (printed sheets, i.e., printed materials) of jobA are to be stacked on the delivery tray 722, the controller unit 402controls the apparatus 101 so as to stack printed materials of job A onthe delivery tray 722 while classifying them every printed materials ofone copy. In FIG. 26, this operation mode is defined as and called thefirst mode. In the third embodiment, “stacking printed materials whileclassifying them” means “executing stacking of printed materials so thatthe operator can recognize breaks between a plurality of printedbundles”. The printing system executes stacking of printed materialswhile showing breaks clearly to the operator.

A sheet bundle 2600 in FIG. 26 is the stacking result of printedmaterials of job A on the delivery tray 722 after the printer unit 403prints, and the printed materials are discharged from the inside of themain body by the discharge rollers 717 and stacked on the delivery tray722. That is, the sheet bundle 2600 is a job output result on thedelivery tray 722 after all processes executed by the apparatus 101 forthe job are completed. When a job for which the first mode is set is tobe processed, the controller unit 402 controls the printing systemincluding the printing apparatus 101 so as to obtain this output result.

The sheet bundle 2600 in FIG. 27 is an output result when an outputbundle stacked on the delivery tray 722 of the printing apparatus 101 inFIG. 7 is viewed from the left of the front view of the apparatus 101 inFIG. 7. This state of the delivery tray 722 is shown in FIG. 32. FIG. 32shows the state of the delivery tray 722 when the printing apparatus 101is viewed from the top. The near side in FIG. 32 is the front of theapparatus 101, and the far side is the back of the apparatus. In thesheet convey direction from the printer unit 403, the right is theupstream side, and the left is the downstream side. The sheet bundle2600 in FIG. 26 corresponds to a stacking state on the delivery tray 722when the sheet bundle 2600 is viewed from a direction in which the userwatches the output result in FIG. 32. Note that sheet bundles in FIGS.27 to 31 are also expressed from the direction shown in FIG. 32.

By the above-described method, the controller unit 402 accepts aprinting execution request for a job for which the operator sets jobprocess conditions including the setting of the first mode as describedin case 1 in FIG. 26. When the controller unit 402 causes the apparatus101 to execute a job for which the first mode is set, it controls theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 so as to execute asorting process for the job and obtain the sheet bundle 2600 in FIG. 26.

For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the controller unit 402 prints 50copies of 4-page document data of job A by single-sided printing. In theprinting process of job A, the controller unit 402 prints the first tofourth document pages of job A on four A4-size plain paper sheets each0.1 mm thick by single-sided printing. The controller unit 402 definesthese sheets as one set, and repetitively prints the document data at atotal printout count of 50 sets which is set by the operator. As aresult, 50 copies are printed.

The condition set by the operator for job A is the first mode. In otherwords, job A is a “job requiring printing of plural copies in total anda printed material classification process corresponding to the firstmode”. The controller unit 402 controls the printing system includingthe printing apparatus 101 so as to stack printed materials of job Aprinted by the printer unit 403 on the delivery tray 722 whileclassifying them every sheet bundle of one copy.

The printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment comprises a functionof storing a series of job print data of pages sequentially from thefirst page in the hard disk of the memory 405, reading out the printdata from the first page, and printing sequentially from the first page.The printing apparatus 101 also comprises a function of reversing anddelivering (face-down delivery) printed sheets, and stacking themsequentially from the output sheet of the first page at the deliveryportion.

In this manner, the printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment canprocess the first page of data to be printed. This configuration canshorten FCOT (First Copy On Time) or FPOT (First Print On Time) andincrease the productivity of the entire job. In order to establish pageorder matching in executing this method, all sheets from the printerunit 403 are stacked on the delivery tray 722 with their image formingsurfaces facing down. In other words, sheets (synonymous with printmedia) are sequentially stacked on the delivery tray 722 while printedsurfaces face down on which print results corresponding to odd-numberedpage data of print data are printed.

In FIG. 26, the first sheet bundle (P1 to P4) is stacked on the deliverytray 722 while all page image forming surfaces face down (face-downstate) and sheet P1 bearing the first page image of the document of thejob is stacked at the bottom. Sheet P2 bearing the second page image,sheet P3 bearing the third page image, and sheet P4 bearing the fourthpage image are sequentially stacked on sheet P1. This also applies tothe second and subsequent copies. A total of 50 sets each formed from a4-sheet bundle are output. However, the page order and whether toperform face-down delivery need not particularly be mentioned. Forexample, for an apparatus which prints from the last page, an outputsheet of the last page may be stacked at the bottom at the deliveryportion while the image forming surface faces up. The configurationsuffices to execute at least the following control in the first mode.

The controller unit 402 controls the printing system including theprinting apparatus 101 so that printed materials of a job for which thefirst mode is set are stacked in the stacking state as illustrated inFIG. 26. As shown in the control example of FIG. 26, the controller unit402 controls to stack a sheet bundle of four sheets P1 to P4 of thefirst copy of the job and a sheet bundle of four sheets P1 to P4 of thesecond copy with a shift on the delivery tray 722. Also, the controllerunit 402 controls to stack sheet bundles of the second and subsequentcopies of the job with a shift every each copy on the delivery tray 722.In this specification, “stacking printed materials with a shift” means“executing stacking of printed materials on the stacking unit of theprinting system while shifting them”. That is, printed materials arestacked in the stacking state as shown in FIGS. 26, 29, 30, 31, 36, orthe like.

In the above example, sheets (synonymous with printed materials)belonging to the first group which previously undergoes a printingprocess, and sheets belonging to the second group which undergoes aprinting process subsequent to the first group exist in a series ofprocess steps for the same job A. The controller unit 402 causes theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 to execute aprinted material classification process so as to stack printed materialsbelonging to the first group and those belonging to the second group inthe same job on the stacking unit while classifying the printedmaterials every group.

In the control example of FIG. 26, a job to be processed requiresprinting of plural copies in total, and the first mode is set for thejob among a plurality of sheet process modes executable by the apparatus101. In this case, as shown in the control example of FIG. 26, thecontroller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 to execute theclassification process before the printer unit 403 completes printing ofa sheet bundle of one copy in a printing process for copies of the job.This configuration provides the stacking result of the sheet bundle 2600on the delivery tray 722, which corresponds to a state after all printedmaterials of the first to 50th copies are stacked on the delivery tray722, as shown in FIG. 26. That is, an output result of classifyingprinted materials of job A every copy is obtained as the stacking resultof them on the delivery tray 722.

In the third embodiment, the state in which sheets are classified meansa state in which the user can grasp a break between sheets when takingout, from the delivery portion, materials printed out from the apparatus101. In the example of FIG. 26, a sheet bundle of the first copy andthat of the second copy are stacked with a shift. This also applies tosheet bundles of the second and subsequent copies. Thus, the user canrecognize the break of sheets of each copy.

In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26 and FIGS. 27 to 30 (to bedescribed later), a shift delivery process can be executed as one methodof the classification process performed by the apparatus 101 under thecontrol of the controller unit 402. According to this process, a bundleof sheets belonging to the same group and that of sheets belonging toanother group are stacked with a shift on the same delivery tray. Theshift delivery process will be explained with reference to FIGS. 33 and34.

In the following description, the sheet processing apparatus 720 in FIG.2 has a configuration shown in FIGS. 33 and 34.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view showing the sheet processing apparatus 720when viewed from the front. A job sheet printed by the printer unit 403is conveyed by the discharge rollers 717 and introduced into a conveypath 3301 in the sheet processing apparatus 720. The sheet istemporarily stacked on a process tray 3302 in the sheet processingapparatus 720.

After all sheets to be stacked as sheets of one group are stacked on theprocess tray 3302, the sheet bundle can be stapled by a stapler 3303.After the completion of processing one bundle, the sheet bundle can bedischarged onto the delivery tray 722.

For the job in FIG. 26, one bundle is made up of a total of four sheetsP1 to P4. For this job, execution of a stapling process is notdesignated.

When sheets of this job are to be processed, the printer unit 403 printsdata of the first to fourth pages sequentially from the first page,outputting the first copy. Sheets P1 to P4 of the first copy that areintroduced into the convey path 3301 sequentially from the first sheetof the sheets of the first copy are stacked on the process tray 3302sequentially from the first page with their image forming surfacesfacing down.

When the fourth sheet P4 corresponding to the last sheet of the currentcopy is stacked on the process tray 3302, an alignment unit 3304executes an alignment process to neatly align the edges of the bundle ofsheets of the first copy. As a result, sheets P1 to P4 are aligned asone output bundle.

After the alignment unit 3304 executes the alignment process, sheets P1to P4 of the first copy are discharged from the sheet processingapparatus 720 by a push member 3305 while keeping them as one outputbundle. Then, the sheet bundle of the first copy is stacked on thedelivery tray 722.

A delivery process for each sheet bundle of sheets will be called abundle delivery process. Note that the delivery tray 722 is verticallymovable. The delivery tray 722 can be moved down every time apredetermined number of sheets are stacked, and moved up when the userremoves a sheet from the delivery tray 722. In other words, the distancebetween the sheet stacking surface of the delivery tray 722 and thedelivery port from which a sheet is discharged from inside to outsidethe sheet processing apparatus 720 can be kept constant.

This configuration can prevent problems: for example, the delivery tray722 is positioned at a height at which no delivered sheet can be stackedon the delivery tray 722, or the delivery tray 722 exists at anexcessively low position and cannot stably support a delivered sheet.

In the example of FIG. 26, after the bundle discharge process for asheet bundle of the first copy from the process tray 3302 to thedelivery tray 722 is completed, the delivery process for a sheet bundleof the second copy is executed on the process tray 3302. At this time, asheet shift process is executed as the classification process. The sheetshift process will be explained with reference to FIG. 34.

FIG. 34 is a view showing part of the sheet processing apparatus 720near the delivery tray 722 when viewed from the top, similar to FIG. 32.As shown in FIG. 33, the process tray 3302 exists on the sheet conveypath within the sheet processing apparatus 720. The bird's eye view ofFIG. 34 cannot directly show the process tray 3302. Thus, in FIG. 34,the process tray 3302 is represented in a dotted line to exhibit thepresence of the process tray 3302 in the apparatus.

FIG. 34 is a view for explaining a state during the process of a job.More specifically, FIG. 34 shows a state after sheets of a grouppreviously having undergone a printing process are stacked on thedelivery tray 722 for a job to be processed. FIG. 34 also shows a statein which sheets of a group subsequent to the preceding group arecurrently stacked on the process tray 3302. In this state, the processtray 3302 is to execute a sheet shift process and bundle deliveryprocess for the subsequent group.

If a sheet bundle stacked on the delivery tray 722 shown in FIG. 34 isthat of the first copy in the sheet bundle 2600 shown in FIG. 26, sheetsstacked on the process tray 3302 shown in FIG. 34 are those of thesecond copy in FIG. 26.

As shown in FIG. 33, the process tray 3302 comprises the two alignmentunits 3304, alignment units 3304 a and 3304 b in FIG. 34. The alignmentunits 3304 a and 3304 b can move in a direction perpendicular to thesheet convey direction shown in FIG. 34, and operate independently andalternatively.

For example, a sheet bundle of the first copy of the job in FIG. 26 isaligned on the process tray 3302 so as to align the far edges of sheetsof the sheet bundle to the first alignment position serving as areference in FIG. 34. The aligned sheet bundle of the first copy isdelivered from the process tray 3302 to the delivery tray 722, andstacked at the first stacking position serving as a reference on thedelivery tray 722. When the sheet bundle of the first copy is processedin this fashion, the controller unit 402 processes a sheet bundle of thesecond copy of the job as follows.

The alignment unit 3304 aligns sheets of the second copy of the job soas to align the near edges of the sheets to the second alignmentposition serving as a reference. For example, the alignment unit 3304 bis fixed at a position shown in FIG. 34. While this state is maintained,the alignment unit 3304 a is moved toward the alignment unit 3304 b soas to make the near edges of the bundle of the sheets of the second copyabut against the alignment unit 3304 b. Consequently, the sheet bundleof the subsequent group shifts to the second alignment position, asshown in FIG. 34.

Thereafter, the sheet bundle is delivered from the process tray 3302 tothe delivery tray 722. The sheet bundle of the second copy can bestacked on the delivery tray 722 while the near edges of the sheets arealigned at the second stacking reference position.

By performing the series of processes, the stacking state as shown inFIG. 26 is achieved. That is, sheet bundles of the first and secondcopies are stacked on the delivery tray 722 with a shift from each otherby a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the sheetconvey direction. Referring to FIG. 34, the shift amount of each sheetbundle shown in FIG. 26 is 20 mm.

In processing a sheet bundle of the third copy corresponding to sheetsof a group to be processed immediately after the sheet bundle of thesecond copy stacked at the second stacking reference position serving asa reference, the same bundle delivery process as that for processing thesheet bundle of the first copy is executed. More specifically, the sheetprocessing apparatus 720 is operated to stack the sheet bundle of thethird copy on the delivery tray 722 at the first stacking referenceposition serving as a reference.

In processing a sheet bundle of the fourth copy corresponding to sheetsof a group to be processed immediately after the sheet bundle of thethird copy stacked at the first stacking reference position serving as areference, the same bundle delivery process as that for processing thesheet bundle of the second copy is executed. More specifically, thesheet processing apparatus 720 is operated to stack the sheet bundle ofthe fourth copy on the delivery tray 722 at the second stackingreference position serving as a reference. In this way, every time asheet bundle of one group is processed, the sheet stacking position onthe delivery tray 722 is alternately switched.

The controller unit 402 controls the sheet processing apparatus 720 soas to execute this process for all sheet bundles to be processed in thejob. Sheet bundles can be stacked while the stacking position of a sheetbundle of a preceding group on the delivery tray 722 and that of a sheetbundle of an immediately succeeding group on the delivery tray 722 in ajob to be processed are shifted at a predetermined interval. The sheetbundle 2600 in the stacking state as shown in FIG. 26 can therefore beobtained.

As described above, the first mode among a plurality of sheet processmodes is set by the user via the user interface unit for a job to beprocessed. In response to this setting, the controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system so as to attain an output result such as the sheetbundle 2600 shown in FIG. 26. As described above, the printing systemmeans only the main body of the printing apparatus 101, the overallapparatus including both the printing apparatus 101 and sheet processingapparatus 720, or either of them.

When the first mode is set for a job to be processed, the controllerunit 402 controls the printing system so that sheets of the job from theprinter unit 403 are stacked on the stacking unit such as the deliverytray 722 while they are classified every sheet bundle of one copy. Inthe third embodiment, this control is defined as and called the firstsequence.

By executing the first sequence, the apparatus 101 can provide highvalue which matches even the office environment. For example, a userwants to distribute a 4-page meeting material to 50 members of hisdepartment in the office. In this case, the user makes settings asrepresented by case 1 in FIG. 26, and can obtain the sheet bundle 2600in which breaks between copies are clear, as shown in FIG. 26. The usercan smoothly distribute the meeting material to all the members.

The relationship between the above-described [first type instructioninformation] to [third type instruction information] and the firstsequence described using the control example in FIG. 26 will beexplained additionally.

As described above, all [first type instruction information] to [thirdtype instruction information] correspond to examples of [instructioninformation which considers a post-process necessary after a printingprocess in a job requiring the printing process by the printingapparatus 101]. In the third embodiment, instruction informationcorresponding to at least one of these types of instruction informationcan be explicitly input by the operator for each job via the UI unitdisclosed in the third embodiment.

For example, in the third embodiment, the controller unit 402 executesthe first sequence shown in the control example of FIG. 26 for a job tobe processed on condition that all the following conditions aresatisfied.

(Condition 1) The job to be processed is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing via the UI unit without inputting any ofthe first type instruction information, second type instructioninformation, and third type instruction information via the UI unit inthe third embodiment.

(Condition 2) The job to be processed is one for which the operatorinputs, via the UI unit, instruction information to classify printedmaterials every printed materials of one copy, and requests execution ofprinting via the UI unit.

In the third embodiment, a job which satisfies both (condition 1) and(condition 2) is a “job which requires printing of copies and for whichthe operator explicitly designates ‘every copy’ in the “every copy”button 1202 of the display of FIG. 12”. Alternatively, this job is a“job which requires printing of copies and for which the operatordesignates ‘every copy’ in the “every copy” button 2002 of the displayof FIG. 20”. If the job to be processed is either of the above-mentionedjobs, the controller unit 402 executes the first sequence as shown inthe control example of FIG. 26. As is apparent from the description, inthe third embodiment, “instruction information from the operator tostack printed materials while classifying them every printed materialsof one copy” is not “instruction information which considers apost-process necessary after a printing process in a job requiring theprinting process by the printing apparatus 101”. In other words,explicit instruction information which is input from the operator viathe “every copy” button 1202 or 2002 is not “instruction informationwhich considers a post-process necessary after a printing process in ajob requiring the printing process by the printing apparatus 101”. Theabove-described [first type instruction information] to [third typeinstruction information] and the first sequence have this relationship.

The printing system disclosed in the third embodiment can execute theabove control, and can also execute control which assumes the followingenvironment so as to flexibly meet various needs from various users.

The control described with reference to FIG. 26 mainly matches theoffice environment. On the contrary, control which satisfactorily dealswith the POD environment can also be executed.

The POD environment to be described later assumes the followingenvironment. For example, a print service company which purchased theapparatus 101 is requested by a customer (to be referred to as customerA hereinafter) to quickly print out 50 copies of a 4-page document withA4-size plain paper sheets by single-sided print setting. The customerdoes not request any more printing process condition. In order tofulfill the customer's request, the print service company may processthis job (to be referred to as job B hereinafter) by giving priority todelivery (short delivery period). In this situation, the controller unit402 can execute the following control for an operator who operates theapparatus 101 in the print service company. FIG. 27 shows an example ofthis control.

Case 2 shown in FIG. 27 has the same job process conditions as those ofcase 1 in FIG. 26 except that the sorting method is different from thatin case 1 in FIG. 26. In case 2 shown in FIG. 27, as the sorting method,the second mode is set as a sheet process mode by the user for job B tobe processed.

For example, if a 4-page document is received as a paper document fromcustomer A, an operator (to be referred to as operator A hereinafter)who processes job B of customer A utilizes the scanner unit 401 of theapparatus 101 in order to fully exploit the apparatus 101. That is,image data of job B is input from the scanner unit 401 of the apparatus101. Operator A sets the process conditions of job B via the operationunit 404 of the apparatus 101 serving as an example of the userinterface unit in the third embodiment.

The controller unit 402 controls to accept process conditionscorresponding to the job process conditions in case 2 of FIG. 27 fromthe operator via, e.g., the window of FIG. 10 displayed on the displayunit 605 of the operation unit 404. When operator A sets OFF executionof a classification process in the third embodiment with the sorter key1009 in the window of FIG. 10, the controller unit 402 determines thatthe second mode is set for the job to be processed.

In the second mode, it is inhibited to stack sheets of a job to beprocessed on the stacking unit while classifying them, as represented bythe sheet bundle in FIG. 26 and sheet bundles in FIGS. 29 to 31 (to bedescribed later). That is, sheets of a job to be processed are stackedon the stacking unit without classifying them.

For example, if a 4-page document is received as electronic data fromcustomer A, the operator (to be referred to as operator A hereinafter)who processes job B of customer A inputs the job into the apparatus 101by using the computer of the system. In this case, for example, imagedata of job B is input from the client PC 1603 in FIG. 16. Operator Asets the process conditions of job B via the display unit of a hostcomputer serving as an example of the user interface unit of the thirdembodiment.

When the printer driver of the apparatus 101 is activated in the clientPC 1603, the control unit of the client PC 1603 displays the window ofFIG. 18 on the display unit of the client PC 1603. The control unitcontrols to accept process conditions corresponding to the job processconditions in case 2 of FIG. 27 from operator A via, e.g., the window ofFIG. 18 displayed on the display unit of the client PC 1603. Whenoperator A sets OFF execution of a classification process in the thirdembodiment with the sorting method selection key 1801 in the window ofFIG. 18, the control unit of the PC transmits data of job B in FIG. 27as job in the second mode to the apparatus 101. When the apparatus 101receives the data, the controller unit 402 analyzes the job data to beprocessed, and determines that the second mode is set for job B.

When the second mode is set as a sheet process mode for job B to beprocessed, as represented by case 2 in FIG. 27, the controller unit 402controls the printing system so as to obtain a sheet bundle 2700 in FIG.27. In other words, job B is a “job in which all printed materials ofthe job to be processed need to be stacked on the stacking unit withoutexecuting any classification process”. The controller unit 402 controlsthe printing system including the printing apparatus 101 so as toexecute the following operation in a series of printing processes of jobB.

For example, as the printing process of job B, the controller unit 402prints document data of the first to fourth pages of job B page by pageon four A4-size plain paper sheets each 0.1 mm thick by single-sidedprinting. The controller unit 402 defines these sheets as one set, andrepetitively prints job B at a total printout count of 50 sets which isset by operator A. As a result, 50 copies of job B are printed. Notethat the second mode is set for job B. That is, for job B, all printedmaterials of the job to be processed need to be stacked on the stackingunit without executing any classification process.

For this reason, the controller unit 402 inhibits the alignment unit3304 from executing the shift operation as shown in FIG. 26 for sheetsof job B that are introduced from the printer unit 403 into the conveypath 3301 of the sheet processing apparatus 720. The controller unit 402directly delivers sheets of job B from the printer unit 403 onto thedelivery tray 722 via the process tray 3302 without executing any shiftoperation.

In order to prevent collapse of printed materials, a sheet stackingprocess is executed so that the edges of all sheets are aligned ateither of the first and second stacking reference positions on thedelivery tray 722. In this way, the controller unit 402 controls theapparatus 101 to execute an operation for job B.

The stacking state (stacking result) of printed materials of job B onthe delivery tray 722 is an output result as represented by the sheetbundle 2700 in FIG. 27. The job is processed so that all sheets of 50copies set by operator A are stacked on the delivery tray 722 withoutclassifying them even at breaks between copies.

The reason why a series of control operations (to be referred to as thesecond sequence hereinafter) in the second mode can satisfy thecustomer's request described above is that the sheet bundle 2700 in FIG.27 need not undergo any sheet classification process, unlike the sheetbundle 2600 in FIG. 26. In order to obtain the sheet bundle 2600 in FIG.26, sheet bundles must be shifted 49 times by way of the process tray3302.

In contrast, the sheet bundle 2700 in FIG. 27 can be obtained withoutexecuting any shift operation. Since the sheet shift operation can beomitted, job B is output more quickly than the job in FIG. 26. That is,job B in FIG. 27 can be processed at higher productivity in a shorterdelivery period than job A in FIG. 26.

In this manner, the system including the apparatus 101 in the thirdembodiment can also execute the second sequence. This configuration isone mechanism for obtaining the above effects of coping with varioussituations and flexibly satisfying various needs from various users.

The relationship between the above-described [first type instructioninformation] to [third type instruction information] and the secondsequence described using the control example in FIG. 27 will beexplained additionally.

As described above, all [first type instruction information] to [thirdtype instruction information] correspond to examples of [instructioninformation which considers a post-process necessary after a printingprocess in a job requiring the printing process by the printingapparatus 101]. In the third embodiment, instruction informationcorresponding to at least one of these types of instruction informationcan be explicitly input by the operator for each job via the UI unitdisclosed in the third embodiment.

For example, in the third embodiment, the controller unit 402 executesthe second sequence shown in the control example of FIG. 27 for a job tobe processed on condition that all the following conditions aresatisfied.

(Condition 1) The job to be processed is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing via the UI unit without inputting any ofthe first type instruction information, second type instructioninformation, and third type instruction information via the UI unit inthe third embodiment.

(Condition 2) The job to be processed is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing via the UI unit without inputting, viathe UI unit, even instruction information to classify printed materialsevery printed materials of one copy.

In the third embodiment, a job which satisfies both (condition 1) and(condition 2) is a job for which the operator requests execution ofprinting via the operation unit 404 without inputting any instructioninformation from the operator even from, e.g., any of the displays inFIGS. 11 to 13. Also, this job is a job for which the operator requestsexecution of printing via the UI unit of the client PC 1603 withoutinputting any instruction information from the operator even from, e.g.,any of the displays in FIGS. 19 to 21. If the job to be processed iseither of these jobs, the controller unit 402 executes the secondsequence as shown in the control example of FIG. 27. Assume that theoperator does not input either “instruction information which considersa post-process necessary after a printing process in a job requiring theprinting process by the printing apparatus 101” or “instructioninformation from the operator to stack printed materials whileclassifying them every printed materials of one copy”. In this case, asrepresented by the second sequence in FIG. 27, the controller unit 402stacks all printed materials of a job to be processed on the stackingunit while inhibiting classification of the printed materials. Theabove-described [first type instruction information] to [third typeinstruction information] and the second sequence have this relationship.

The third embodiment is premised on the above configuration. Consideringthe current situation and future development of the POD environment, thefollowing control can also be executed to fully exhibit theabove-described effects when the system is put into practical use.

For example, a print service company which introduces the apparatus 101is requested by a given company client (to be referred to as customer Bhereinafter) to output 50 copies of 4-page document data with A4-sizeplain paper sheets by single-sided print setting. These printing processconditions are the same as those of a job in case 1 of FIG. 26 or case 2of FIG. 27.

In addition to the above conditions, customer B further designates thefollowing condition. For example, customer B requests that printouts forcustomer B are stored in a packing member prepared by the print servicecompany and delivered as a final material to customer B. An example of asheet storage box applicable as an example of the packing member is asheet storage box A 2800 shown in FIG. 28. Customer B does not make anymore request.

The sheet storage box A 2800 has a shape and the like as shown in FIG.28. Numerical values shown in FIG. 28 mean the internal volume of thesheet storage box A 2800, and the size is 297 mm in length, 210 mm inwidth, and 10 mm in height. As shown in FIG. 28, the sheet storage box A2800 has a capacity of up to 100 A4-size sheets each 0.1 mm thick.

The third embodiment assumes a situation in which an operator (to bereferred to as operator B hereinafter) who processes a job (to bereferred to as job C hereinafter) of customer B having the series ofprocess conditions takes out, from the delivery tray 722, a sheet bundleof job C which is printed by the printer unit 403 and stacked on thedelivery tray 722, and manually packs the sheet bundle in the sheetstorage box A 2800 of FIG. 28.

This work corresponds to an example of a post-process step executed bythe image forming system which receives attention in the thirdembodiment. The reason why this work is called a post-step in the thirdembodiment is that it is described in association with a printingprocess by the printer unit 403 of the apparatus 101. For example, aseries of work steps (also called a workflow) including a plurality ofprocess steps to be executed by the system for job C requires at leastthe sheet storage step by the operator using a sheet storage box. Thesheet storage step by the operator using a sheet storage box is apost-step (post-process) which must be executed after a printing processstep by the printer unit 403 of the apparatus 101.

The printing system including the printing apparatus 101 in the thirdembodiment can deal with even such a situation. FIG. 29 is a view forexplaining an example of the configuration.

A sheet bundle of job C is made up of all A4-size sheets, and the totalnumber of sheets is 4 pages×50 copies=200 sheets. The thickness of onesheet is 0.1 mm, and thus the thickness (height) of the whole sheetbundle of job C is 200×0.1 mm=20 mm (2 cm). The size of the whole sheetbundle of job C is 297 mm in length, 210 mm in width, and 20 mm inheight.

As is apparent from a comparison between the entire sheet bundle of jobC, the sheet storage box A 2800 shown in FIG. 28, and the sheet capacityof one box, all the sheets of the sheet bundle of job C cannot be storedin one sheet storage box A 2800. In this example, two sheet storageboxes A 2800 are necessary.

In this situation, a post-step (post-process) by intervention work ofoperator B is needed after all the sheets of job C for which a printingstep is to start are stacked on the delivery tray 722. For example,operator B divides the sheet bundle of job C into two sheet bundles eachof 25 copies. Then, the two sheet bundles must be separately stored inthe two sheet storage boxes A 2800. Job C requires a post-process byintervention work of the operator after the printing process of job C bythe printing apparatus 101.

In this case, if the printing process of job C is executed in the firstsequence described with reference to FIG. 26, the following work isrequired of operator B.

For example, the sheet bundle 2600 in FIG. 26 is an output materialgenerated by the apparatus 101 by executing control of stacking sheetsof a job to be processed on the delivery tray 722 while shifting themevery sheets of one copy. Operator B eliminates the shifts of the sheetsof the sheet bundle 2600 so as to align the edges of the sheets of thesheet bundle 2600 taken out from the delivery tray 722. Then, operator Bdivides the sheet bundle 2600 so as to store the sheets in the two sheetstorage boxes A 2800. At this time, operator B counts sheet bundles of25 copies. Operator B sorts the sheet bundle 2600 to bring sheet bundlesof the first to 25th copies together into a sheet bundle of the firstgroup and those of the 26th to 50th copies together into a sheet bundleof the second group. The series of intervention work operations byoperator B is needed.

Through the series of intervention work operations by operator B,operator B stores the sheet bundles sorted into two groups in the twosheet storage boxes A 2800.

In order to obtain the final material of job C, the post-process step,i.e., the sheet storage process by operator B using the sheet storageboxes A 2800 in FIG. 28 must be executed in the system in a series ofprocess steps of job C.

If the controller unit 402 executes the first mode (first sequence) forjob C, similar to the above-mentioned control example of FIG. 26, theseries of intervention work operations by operator B occurs inperforming the post-process step by operator B. The series ofintervention work operations is, e.g., “work to align sheet bundleswhich are shifted every copy→work to divide one sheet bundle 2600 intotwo sheet bundles each formed from sheets of 25 copies in order to storethe sheet bundle 2600 in two boxes”.

Even if the controller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 to execute thesecond mode (second sequence) for job C, similar to the above-mentionedcontrol example of FIG. 27, the series of intervention work operationsis also required in performing the post-process step by operator B.

This is because, for example, when the second mode (second sequence) isselected, the controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 to inhibitstacking of sheets of a job to be processed on the delivery tray 722while classifying them, and to stack all the sheets on the delivery tray722 while aligning them. Accordingly, an output material in FIG. 27 canbe obtained.

For this reason, operator B need not align sheet bundles which areshifted every copy. Even in this case, however, operator B must divideone sheet bundle 2700 into two sheet bundles each formed from sheets of25 copies in order to store the output material of job C in the twosheet storage boxes A 2800.

The third embodiment can minimize even such intervention work by theoperator that may occur in the POD environment and the like. From thisviewpoint, the third embodiment can achieve the effects of providing aprinting system which can cope with various environments, flexibly meetvarious needs from various users, and targets future digital printingsystems.

As a concrete configuration for this purpose, in the third embodiment,the controller unit 402 can execute control based on a post-stepexecuted in a series of workflows necessary to obtain the final materialof a job to be processed.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the controller unit 402causes the UI unit of the embodiment to execute a display for allowingthe operator to explicitly input, for each job, instruction informationwhich considers a post-process necessary after a printing process in ajob requiring the printing process by the printing apparatus 101. On thepremise of this configuration, a job which is accepted by the system andis to be processed is not one for which no instruction information isinput by the operator via the display, but one for which the instructioninformation is input by the operator via the display. In this case, thecontroller unit 402 inhibits stacking, on the stacking unit of thesystem, of printed materials of the job for which the instructioninformation is input by the operator while the printed materials areclassified every printed materials of one copy. Further in this case,the controller unit 402 stacks, on the stacking unit, printed materialsof the job for which the instruction information is input by theoperator while the printed materials are classified on the basis of theinstruction information input by the operator for the job. In thisfashion, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system having theprinting apparatus 101.

An example of this control is the third sequence executed by theapparatus 101 when the user selects the third mode from a plurality ofsheet process modes, which will be explained with reference to FIG. 29.

In the third mode illustrated in FIG. 29, sheets of a job to beprocessed can be stacked on the delivery tray 722 serving as an exampleof the sheet stacking unit while they are classified in a unit based ona post-process step executed in the job.

Case 3 shown in FIG. 29 has the same job process conditions as thoseshown in FIGS. 26 and 27 except the sorting method (sheet process mode).

When operator B processes job C, the third mode is set for job C, andthe apparatus 101 executes a printing process for job C. As a result, asheet bundle 2900 shown in FIG. 29 can be obtained. The sheet bundle2900 in FIG. 29 means the final stacking state (stacking result) ofprinted materials of job C on the delivery tray 722.

As one feature associated with the third mode, the third embodiment canalso deal with an off-line post-step, and further a near-line post-step(to be described later) at the work site in a printing environment suchas the POD environment where the printing system having the printingapparatus 101 is installed.

The off-line post-step described in the third embodiment is defined onthe basis of the printing apparatus 101. For example, a sheet storageprocess (box packing work) in the sheet storage box A 2800 of FIG. 28corresponds to an example of the off-line post-step because the sheetstorage box A 2800 in FIG. 28 is an example of a unit capable of storingsheets. The sheet storage box A 2800 is an example of a post-processingunit which is electrically and physically disconnected from theapparatus 101.

Electrical disconnection also means that no data communication can beestablished between two units. Physical disconnection also means that apost-processing unit is not mechanically connected to the apparatus 101.Connection does not mean only a state in which two units are not spacedapart from each other but are coupled to each other. Disconnection meansa state in which sheets conveyed from the printer unit 403 by thedischarge rollers 717 of the apparatus 101 cannot be accepted withoutthe mediacy of any manual work by the operator.

On the basis of this concept, the third embodiment discriminates aplurality of types of post-processing units disclosed in the embodimentas follows, and can cope with any type of post-processing unit.

For example, the sheet processing apparatus 720 will be called anon-line post-processing unit with reference to FIG. 7. The sheetprocessing apparatus 720 can internally communicate data with at leastthe image forming apparatus 101. For example, the sheet processingapparatus 720 communicates data such as sheet presence/absence detectioninformation to the controller unit 402 between an internal unit such asthe controller unit 402 of the apparatus 101 and an internal unit suchas the sensor (not shown) of the sheet processing apparatus 720. Thecontroller unit 402 communicates, to the internal controller of thesheet processing apparatus 720, a control signal for controlling theoperation of the sheet processing apparatus 720. That is, the sheetprocessing apparatus 720 and controller unit 402 are electricallyconnected to each other.

In addition, the sheet processing apparatus 720 is a post-processingapparatus which can be coupled to the apparatus 101, and directly acceptsheets from the printer unit 403 of the apparatus 101 via the dischargerollers 717 without the mediacy of intervention work by the operator.That is, the sheet processing apparatus 720 and apparatus 101 arephysically connected to each other.

Hence, the sheet processing unit is called an on-line post-processingunit in the third embodiment. The sheet processing unit is called anin-line post-processing unit because the path for conveying a sheet fromthe printer unit 403 runs between the sheet processing unit and theapparatus 101. As described at the beginning of the third embodiment,the sheet processing apparatus 720 of the printing system corresponds toan example of an in-line type post-processing unit.

On the contrary, the sheet storage box A 2800 in FIG. 28 is an exampleof an off-line post-processing unit. As described above, the sheetstorage box A 2800 is a post-processing unit capable of storing sheetsprinted by the printer unit 403. However, the sheet storage box A 2800corresponds to a post-processing unit which is neither electrically norphysically connected to the printing apparatus 101. Also as described atthe beginning of the third embodiment, the sheet storage box A 2800corresponding to an example of an off-line post-processing unit is anexample of a non-in-line type post-processing unit.

As one feature, the printing system in the third embodiment comprises apost-processing unit defined as a near-line post-processing unit whichis an intermediate unit between these two types of post-processing unitsexhibiting different properties. The third embodiment can deal with evena post-processing unit of this type. Examples of the near-linepost-processing unit are cutting machines 1604 to 1606 in FIG. 16.

The cutting machines 1604 to 1606 can communicate data via apredetermined data communication medium with at least any externalapparatus such as the printing apparatus 101 (1601) or the informationprocessing apparatus (e.g., the server 1602 or client PC 1603).

For example, the cutting machines 1604 to 1606 can transmit, to anexternal apparatus via the network 1607, status information of themachines and various data such as device attribute data available asinformation to be stored in various management tables described above.Examples of the status information are information representing whethera sheet cutting process is executed, and information which notifies theexternal apparatus that an error occurs. Examples of the deviceattribute data are information for specifying which type of post-processis possible, and device-specific information (e.g., device nameinformation) which can be recognized by the control unit of anotherapparatus. There are also pieces of post-process capability informationsuch as information on the maximum number of sheets processible at onceby one post-process and on the thickness of a sheet.

In this way, the cutting machines 1604 to 1606 in the third embodimentare electrically connected to another apparatus. However, the cuttingmachines 1604 to 1606 are not physically connected to the printingapparatus.

For example, the cutting machines 1604 to 1606 can perform a cuttingprocess as a post-process for sheets of a job printed by the printerunit 403 of the image forming apparatus 101. However, the cuttingmachines 1604 to 1606 require intervention work by the operator in orderto accept sheets of the job to be cut.

For example, the operator must take out a sheet bundle stacked on thedelivery tray 722 and set it on the cutting machine.

In other words, the cutting machines 1604 to 1606 do not have anymachine configuration capable of directly conveying sheets into thecutting machine from the printer unit 403 via the discharge rollers 717of the image forming apparatus 101 without the mediacy of any operationby the operator (the cutting machines 1604 to 1606 are not in thein-line state).

For the above reason, in the third embodiment, a post-processingapparatus (e.g., the cutting machines 1604 to 1606) which iselectrically connected to another apparatus but physically disconnectedis defined as a near-line post-processing unit. “Near-line” means thatthe near-line post-processing unit is close to the on-line one. In thethird embodiment, a post-process step using the near-linepost-processing unit is called a near-line post-process. As described atthe beginning of the third embodiment, the cutting machines 1604 to 1606corresponding to an example of the near-line post-processing unitcorrespond to an example of a non-in-line type post-processing unit.

The third mode will be explained with reference to FIG. 29 on the basisof the above configuration. When the job to be processed is printed, thecontroller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 so that it can executethe third mode on the basis of a setting instruction input from theoperator via the user interface unit provided in the third embodiment.

Assume that document data of job C is input from the scanner unit 401.In this case, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 of theoperation unit 404 to display the window in FIG. 10. Through thiswindow, the controller unit 402 accepts, from operator B, a series ofprinting process conditions shown in case 3 of FIG. 29, i.e., a seriesof process conditions concerning job C, such as the output paper size=A4size, the paper type=0.1 mm-thick plain paper, the output copy count=50copies, and the printing style=single-sided printing.

When the user presses the sorter key 1009, the controller unit 402causes the display unit 605 to display the sorting method selectionwindow in FIG. 11.

A sorting method for job C to be processed among a plurality of types ofsorting method selection candidates can be accepted from operator B viathe window in FIG. 11. In response to press of the “designate post-step”button 1103 in the window of FIG. 11, the controller unit 402 causes thedisplay unit 605 to display the post-process mode window shown in FIG.13.

In the third embodiment, when the post-process designation mode isselected, it is controlled to present the user via the user interfaceunit with post-process step selection candidates which can be designatedin the image forming system for a job to be processed. Further, it iscontrolled to allow the user to designate a desired post-step from theselection candidates. As a post-step candidate selectable by the user,the selection candidates include even a post-step executed in theoff-line state using an off-line post-processing unit as describedabove. In addition, a post-step in the near-line state using a near-linepost-processing unit is also available as a post-step candidateselectable by the user. This configuration is also one mechanism forobtaining the above effects.

For example, in FIG. 13, List 1 for selecting a cutting process by thecutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 is displayed in the list as an example ofa post-step using a near-line post-processing unit. Also, List 2 andList 3 for selecting box packing work (sheet storage process) using asheet storage box are displayed in the list as examples of a post-stepusing an off-line post-processing unit. In this manner, the controllerunit 402 controls the display unit 605.

Display items (selection candidates) in the list are controlled toreflect information registered in advance in the internal memory of theapparatus.

For example, the above-mentioned management table is prepared in thehard disk of the apparatus 101. Information on a post-step manually setby the operator is registered in the table data. Information receivedfrom a near-line post-processing unit via the network 104 is registered.

Note that information on the near-line post-processing unit can beautomatically registered when the near-line post-processing unit isconnected to the network 104. Alternatively, information acquisitionrequest command data is transmitted from the apparatus 101 to thenear-line post-processing unit. Various types of device information asdescribed above which are transmitted from the near-line post-processingunit in response to the command data are received and can beautomatically registered. Alternatively, the device information isspontaneously, periodically transmitted by polling from the near-linepost-processing unit to the apparatus 101, and can be automaticallyregistered.

Information on the near-line post-processing unit may be registered byany method. The controller unit 402 controls the display unit 605 toexecute a display based on the registered information.

When, for example, information on the sheet storage box A 2800 in FIG.28 is registered as information on an off-line post-processing unit, theoperator registers various types of information on the unit via theoperation unit 404 in advance. As the registered information, the name,type, and capacity information of the unit as shown in FIG. 28 can beregistered. In this example, the operator has registered in advance abox packing work step using the sheet storage box A 2800 in associationwith List 3 in FIG. 13.

The controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to display a listbased on information registered in the memory in advance, as shown inFIG. 13.

In this configuration, assume that List 3 is selected from the list inFIG. 13 as the setting of job C to be processed by operator B. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 determines that job C undergoes a sheetstorage process using the sheet storage box A 2800 as an off-linepost-step after the whole sheet bundle is stacked on the delivery tray722.

When operator B makes the series of settings and presses the start key606 to input a printing start request, the controller unit 402 receives4-page document image data of job C from the scanner unit 401. Thecontroller unit 402 sequentially stores the data of job C in the harddisk of the memory 405, thereby accepting the data of job C.

Assume that document data of job C is input from the client PC 1603 inFIG. 16. In this case, the control unit of the client PC 1603 causes itsdisplay unit to display the printer driver window in FIG. 18, andaccepts various printing process conditions represented in case 3 ofFIG. 29 from operator B via the window. That is, the control unit of theclient PC 1603 accepts a series of process condition parametersconcerning job C, such as the output paper size=A4 size, the papertype=0.1 mm-thick plain paper, the output copy count=50 copies, and theprinting style=single-sided printing.

When the user presses the sorting method selection key 1801, the controlunit of the client PC 1603 causes its display unit to display thesorting method selection window in FIG. 19.

A sorting method for job C to be processed among a plurality of types ofsorting method selection candidates can be accepted from operator B viathe window in FIG. 19. In response to press of the “designate post-step”button 1903 in the window of FIG. 19, the control unit of the client PC1603 causes its display unit to display the post-process mode windowshown in FIG. 21.

Also in the window of the PC, a post-step by an off-line post-processingunit is set as a selection candidate. A post-step by a near-linepost-processing unit is also set as a selection candidate. The listinformation may be acquired from the memory of the apparatus 101 orregistered in the internal memory of the client PC 1603. In the windowof FIG. 21, List 1 to List 3 correspond to steps by the cutting machines1604 to 1606, respectively. The client PC 1603 can acquire informationon a near-line post-processing unit from the near-line post-processingunit via the network 1607 directly or by way of the server 1602.

Assume that operator B designates box packing work using the sheetstorage box A 2800 via the list in FIG. 21 displayed on the display unitof the client PC 1603, sets a series of printing conditions, and pressesthe print key 1803 in the window of FIG. 18. Then, the control unit ofthe client PC 1603 transmits the series of printing process conditionsfor job C as job data from the client PC 1603 to the image formingapparatus 101 together with 4-page image data of job C. When theapparatus 101 receives the data of job C from the client PC 1603, thecontroller unit 402 sequentially stores the data in the hard disk,completing acceptance of the data of job C.

By various methods described above, the controller unit 402 controls theprinter unit 403 to print, on the basis of the process conditions of jobC, data of job C that is stored in the hard disk of the image formingapparatus 101.

At the start of the printing process, the controller unit 402 confirmsthe sheet process mode of job C on the basis of the user settinginformation. For example, the post-step mode is selected for job C.Further, job C is subjected to a sheet storage process using the sheetstorage box A 2800 as an off-line post-step after all processes executedby the image forming apparatus 101 are completed.

After confirming the process conditions for job C including the sheetprocess mode, the controller unit 402 causes the printer unit 403 tostart printing job C.

More specifically, the controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 onthe basis of the confirmation result to obtain the sheet bundle 2900shown in FIG. 29 as the output result of job C by the apparatus 101. Howto create the sheet bundle 2900 of job C will be explained below.

As the printing process of job C, document data of the first to fourthpages of job C are printed page by page on four A4-size plain papersheets each 0.1 mm thick by single-sided printing. These sheets aredefined as one set, and the document data are repetitively printed at aprintout count of 50 sets which is set by operator B. As a result, 50copies are printed. Note that the third mode is set as a sheet processmode for job C.

Thus, the controller unit 402 inhibits the alignment unit 3304 fromexecuting the classification process as shown in FIG. 26 on the processtray 3302 for sheets of job C from the printer unit 403. Further, thecontroller unit 402 inhibits the apparatus 101 to execute stacking ofsheets of job C on the delivery tray 722 without executing anyclassification process, as shown in FIG. 27.

For job C, operator B is to execute box packing work using the sheetstorage box A 2800 in FIG. 28 as an off-line post-process step uponcompletion of a printing process by the apparatus 101. The controllerunit 402 has already confirmed, on the basis of information set byoperator B in the post-step designation mode window, that the aboveprocesses are scheduled as the workflow of job C.

The controller unit 402 operates the apparatus 101 to stack sheets ofjob C on the delivery tray 722 while classifying them in a unit based oninformation on the sheet storage box A 2800 to be used in an off-linepost-step. More specifically, the controller unit 402 causes theapparatus 101 to create the sheet bundle 2900 as shown in FIG. 29 asoutput materials of job C.

Job C has the same process conditions as those shown in case 1 of FIG.26 and case 2 of FIG. 27 except the sorting method. The controller unit402 confirms information on sheets necessary to complete the printingprocess of job C. As the confirmation method, the controller unit 402refers to printing process condition information set by operator B. Atthis time, the controller unit 402 also confirms page count informationfor specifying how many pages the job is formed from in total. As anexample of the confirmation method, the operator is prompted to inputthe total number of pages in advance. Alternatively, the controller unit402 confirms the information when all pages of the job data are storedin the hard disk of the memory 405. When the job is transmitted from thehost, the controller unit 402 confirms the information by acquiring thelast page command upon transmitting the last page from the host. For ascan job, the controller unit 402 confirms the information when no scandocument page exists on the ADF tray of the scanner unit 401 having anADF function of successively feeding and scanning a plurality ofdocument pages. In this fashion, the page count confirmation method isarbitrary.

After the confirmation process, the controller unit 402 determines thatjob C is to print a series of document data of four pages by 50 copieson A4-size plain paper sheets each 0.1 mm thick by single-sidedprinting. At the same time, the controller unit 402 confirms that thetotal number of sheets necessary to complete the printing process of jobC is 4 pages×50 copies=200 sheets. The controller unit 402 also confirmsthat the height (thickness) of sheets is 200 sheets×0.1 mm=20 mm.

The controller unit 402 compares sheet information necessary to completethe printing process of job C with post-step information of job C. Basedon the comparison result, the controller unit 402 determines the timingwhen the sheet processing apparatus 720 classifies sheets of job C in aseries of printing process steps for job C.

For example, the controller unit 402 grasps post-process stepinformation of job C by looking up information in the above-mentionedmanagement table in which various types of necessary information areregistered in advance manually or automatically. For example, thecontroller unit 402 recognizes, from the table information, that thesheet storage box A 2800 is 10 mm [1 cm] high. Alternatively, thecontroller unit 402 recognizes that the sheet storage box A 2800 is asheet storage unit capable of storing a maximum of 100 A4-size sheetseach 0.1 mm thick. In this fashion, capability information of the unitis utilized.

On the basis of various types of determination information describedabove, the controller unit 402 regards, as sheets of the first group,sheets from the first sheet P1 of the first copy of job C to the fourthsheet P4 of the 25th copy. In terms of a total of 200 sheets necessaryfor job C, the controller unit 402 regards, as sheets of the same group,the first to 100th sheets out of sheets used for job C. Sheets belongingto this group will be referred to as sheets of the first classification.

Similarly, on the basis of these pieces of information, the controllerunit 402 regards, as sheets of the second group, sheets from the firstsheet P1 of the 26th copy of job C to the fourth sheet P4 of the 50thcopy. In terms of a total of 200 sheets necessary for job C, thecontroller unit 402 regards, as sheets of the same group, the 101st to200th sheets out of sheets used for job C. Sheets belonging to thisgroup will be referred to as sheets of the second classification.

In making this determination, the controller unit 402 determines thetiming when the sheet processing apparatus 720 classifies sheets of jobC in a series of printing process steps for job C.

In this example, the sheet shift process is adopted as an example of theclassification process. Hence, the controller unit 402 can also execute,e.g., the following control.

All sheets belonging to sheets of the first classification are stackedat the same stacking position on the delivery tray 722. In addition, allsheets belonging to sheets of the second classification are stacked atthe same stacking position on the delivery tray 722. The sheetsbelonging to sheets of the first classification and those belonging tosheets of the second classification are stacked on the delivery tray 722while their sheet stacking positions shift from each other so that theuser can recognize a break.

That is, the controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 so thatsheets belonging to sheets of the first classification of job C to beprocessed and those belonging to sheets of the second classification arestacked on the delivery tray 722 while these sheets are classified asrepresented by the sheet bundle 2900 in FIG. 29.

For example, as shown in FIG. 34, the controller unit 402 stacks allsheets belonging to sheets of the first classification of job C so as toalign their far edges at the first stacking reference position. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 stacks all sheets belonging to sheets ofthe second classification of job C so as to align their near edges atthe second stacking reference position. To obtain this result of job C,the controller unit 402 executes the shift operation using the alignmentunit 3304 on the process tray 3302, and the bundle delivery operation onthe delivery tray 722 by the push member 3305, which have been describedin detail above.

For example, for sheets of the first classification of job C, the faredge of a sheet is aligned at the first alignment position. When thesheet of the first classification is stacked on the process tray 3302,the alignment unit 3304 a is fixed at this position, and the alignmentunit 3304 b is moved toward the first alignment position, therebyshifting the sheet to the first alignment position. The sheet of thefirst classification of job C with its far edge aligned at the firstalignment position is delivered onto the delivery tray 722 while its faredge is kept at the position. This operation is executed until allsheets of the first classification are delivered. That is, this sheetprocess is executed from the first to 100th sheets of job C.

Then, for sheets of the second classification of job C, i.e., for the101st and subsequent sheets of job C, the near edge of a sheet isaligned at the second alignment position. When the sheet of the secondclassification is stacked on the process tray 3302, the alignment unit3304 b is fixed at this position, and the alignment unit 3304 a is movedtoward the second alignment position, thereby shifting the sheet to thesecond alignment position. The sheet of the second classification of jobC with its near edge aligned at the second alignment position isdelivered onto the delivery tray 722 while its near edge is kept at theposition. This operation is executed until all sheets of the secondclassification are delivered. That is, this sheet process is executedfrom the 101st to 200th sheets of job C.

The above-described series of sheet processes are executed for job C.Resultantly, all sheets belonging to sheets of the first classificationof job C can be stacked on the delivery tray 722 so as to align theirfar edges at the first stacking reference position. At the same time,all sheets belonging to sheets of the second classification of job C canbe stacked on the delivery tray 722 so as to align their near edges atthe second stacking reference position.

To stack all sheets belonging to sheets of the first classification ofjob C so as to align their near edges at the second stacking referenceposition, a sheet process reverse to the above example is executed. Inthis case, all sheets belonging to sheets of the second classificationof job C are so stacked as to align their far edges at the firststacking reference position.

The controller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 to execute the seriesof printing operations in the printing process step of job C. As theoutput result of job C, the sheet bundle 2900 in FIG. 29 is created. Inthis example, the sheet classification process for job C is executedevery 100 sheets on the basis of the sheet storage process step usingthe sheet storage box A 2800 that is to be executed after the printingprocess step for job C.

The sheet bundle 2900 of job C having undergone the above sheetclassification process can easily undergo a post-step by operator B.

This is because the sheet bundle 2900 is stacked on the delivery tray722 while a sheet bundle belonging to the first classification and thatbelonging to the second classification are classified with a clearbreak, as shown in FIG. 29. First, operator B directly takes out fromthe delivery tray 722 all the sheets belonging to the secondclassification which are clearly sectioned from sheets of the firstclassification.

More specifically, operator B takes out from the delivery tray 722 atotal of 100 sheets up to sheet P1 of the 26th copy from sheet P4 of the50th copy of job C that corresponds to a sheet at the top offace-down-delivered sheets. The edges of all the sheets are aligned, andthese sheets can be easily stored and fit in the first sheet storage boxA 2800 without any unwanted space. Then, operator B takes out from thedelivery tray 722 all the sheets of the first classification left on thedelivery tray 722. More specifically, operator B takes out from thedelivery tray 722 a total of 100 sheets up to sheet P1 of the first copyfrom sheet P4 of the 25th copy of job C that corresponds to a sheet atthe top of face-down-delivered sheets at this time. The edges of all thesheets are aligned, and these sheets can be easily stored and fit in thesecond sheet storage box A 2800 without any unwanted space.

The workflow of job C is completed through the post-step using theoff-line unit by operator B. The final materials of job C which arepacked in the two sheet storage boxes A 2800 can be delivered tocustomer B.

In this manner, the third embodiment includes, as a function, aspecification which considers even the POD environment. For example,when the third mode is set as a sheet process mode for a job to beprocessed, the controller unit 402 inhibits stacking of sheets of thejob from the printer unit 403 on the delivery tray 722 while they areclassified every sheets of one copy. The controller unit 402 stackssheets of the job on the delivery tray 722 while they are classified ina unit based on a post-process step for the job. When the third mode isset for a job to be processed, the controller unit 402 causes the imageforming apparatus 101 to execute this operation. This control is calledthe third sequence.

The third mode serving as the third sequence execution condition can beexecuted by prompting the user to concretely (explicitly) designate apost-step for a job to be processed via the user interface unit. This isthe same as the description of FIG. 13 or 21.

More specifically, in the third embodiment, the job to be processed inthe third mode is one for which the operator requests execution ofprinting after explicitly inputting the third type instructioninformation by the operator via the UI unit in the third embodiment. Ifthis type of job is to be processed, the controller unit 402 confirmspost-step information on the processing capability of a non-in-line typepost-processing unit which is explicitly designated by the operator viathe UI unit for the job and is necessary after a printing process by theapparatus 101 in the job. The controller unit 402 controls to stackprinted materials of the job on the stacking unit in the thirdembodiment while classifying them every printed materials on the basisof the post-step information without classifying them every printedmaterials of one copy. The third mode is based on this relationship.

In the third embodiment, the fourth mode can also be accepted as a sheetprocess mode for a job to be processed. Even when this mode is set for ajob to be processed, the controller unit 402 controls to execute thethird sequence. This example is shown in FIG. 30, and will be explainedin comparison with the description using FIGS. 28 and 29.

In FIG. 29, the user interface unit executes the display in FIG. 13 or21 as a user interface window in setting the third mode. The displaylist in FIG. 13 or 21 presents a near-line post-processing unit andoff-line post-processing unit as choices. Information is automaticallyacquired from a near-line post-processing unit via a network.

Choices of the near-line post-processing unit are displayed in the liston the basis of the automatically acquired information. For an off-linepost-processing unit, various types of information on it are registeredin advance in the memory by an operator's operation. For example,operator B inputs the name, type, and capability information shown inFIG. 28 as information on the sheet storage box A 2800 in FIG. 28 viathe operation unit 404 or a user interface unit (e.g., the operationunit of the host computer). The information on the off-linepost-processing unit is stored as registration information in thememory. Choices of the off-line post-processing unit are displayed inthe list on the basis of the manually input initial registrationinformation.

In this manner, when the third mode is utilized, information onpost-steps that is registered in the memory in advance becomesavailable. Once the information is registered in the memory, choicescorresponding to post-steps can be selected by the operator when thethird mode is selected. The operator can execute the third sequence by asimple operation, and obtain the result of the sheet bundle 2900 in FIG.29 without labor.

The fourth mode is an operation mode serving as one method of executingthe third sequence by a simpler operation. More specifically, an outputidentical to the sheet bundle 2900 in FIG. 29 can be created withoutregistering, e.g., information on an off-line post-processing unit inadvance, unlike the above example.

For example, operator B in charge of the process of job C understandsthe shape and capability of the sheet storage box A 2800 in FIG. 28 inadvance. For example, operator B grasps that the off-linepost-processing unit shown in FIG. 28 can store a maximum of 100 A4-sizesheets each 0.1 mm thick. Operator B also understands that the height(maximum value) of sheets processible at once by the off-linepost-processing unit is 0.1 mm×100 sheets=10 mm.

In this situation, the controller unit 402 allows operator B to pressthe “sort by height” button 1102 via, e.g., the sorting method selectionwindow in FIG. 11. When the “sort by height” button 1102 is pressed, thecontroller unit 402 sets the height sort mode (fourth mode). Thecontroller unit 402 allows the operator to input, with the ten-key pad604, a numerical value corresponding to the height in the off-linepost-step in mm order to the height input field of the “sort by height”button 1102. In this case, operator B inputs 10 mm corresponding to theheight of the sheet storage box A 2800.

After that, setting of a series of printing process conditions for job Cincluding the setting of the height sort mode (fourth mode) iscompleted. This process corresponds to case 4 in FIG. 30. Then, operatorB presses the start key 606. In response to this, the controller unit402 starts scanning the document of job C on the ADF, and stores thedata of job C in the hard disk, completing acceptance of job C.

The above example is an example of the scan job. For a PDL job, the jobis designated from a printer driver. For example, when operator Bpresses the “sort by height” button 1902 in the window of FIG. 19displayed on the display unit of the client PC 1603, he can input, withthe keyboard of the client PC 1603, 10 mm corresponding to the height ofthe sheet storage box A 2800. Then, print data of job C is accepted fromthe client PC 1603.

After job C is accepted by the above method, the controller unit 402causes the printer unit 403 to print job C. In this example, the firstto fourth pages of job C are printed on four A4-size plain paper sheetseach 0.1 mm thick by single-sided printing. These sheets are defined asone set, and the document data are repetitively printed at a copy countof 50 sets which is designated by operator B. Note that the fourth modeis set for job C.

For this reason, the controller unit 402 determines a conditionconcerning a classification process before a series of printingprocesses for job C starts. More specifically, the controller unit 402determines the timing when sheets bearing data of job C are classifiedduring the printing process of job C.

In this example, a total of sheets necessary for job C are 4 pages×50copies=200 sheets. The thickness of one sheet is 0.1 mm. The value whichis input by operator B via the height input field of the “sort byheight” button 1102 in FIG. 11 and corresponds to the height of thesheet storage box A 2800 is 10 mm.

The controller unit 402 recognizes that the value “10 mm” is the maximumheight of sheets processible at once by the post-step unit in apost-process step to be executed after a printing process step for job Cin the workflow of job C.

The controller unit 402 executes a calculation process of dividing thevalue “10 mm” by the height “0.1 mm” of one sheet of job C. The quotientis 100, which corresponds to the number of sheets to be classified intoone group when the apparatus 101 classifies sheets of job C.Accordingly, the rule to classify sheets of job C every 100 sheets isestablished. The controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 toexecute the sheet classification process based on this result for job C.

Since job C requires a total of 200 sheets, the first 100 sheets of jobC are regarded as sheets of the first classification. The first sheet P1of the first copy of job C to the fourth sheet P4 of the 25th copybelong to this group. The 101st to 200th sheets of job C are regarded assheets of the second classification. The first sheet P1 of the 26th copyof job C to the fourth sheet P4 of the 50th copy belong to this group.

The controller unit 402 controls to stack sheets of job C on thedelivery tray 722 under the above classification. The method of theclassification process is the same as that in FIG. 29, and a descriptionthereof will be omitted. Job C is processed in the fourth mode,completing a sheet bundle 3000 shown in FIG. 30.

Operator B takes out the sheet bundle 3000 stacked on the delivery tray722 while the sheets are classified as shown in FIG. 30. The post-stepto take out the sheet bundle 3000 of job C from the delivery tray 722and storing it in two sheet storage boxes A 2800 is the same as that inFIG. 29, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the third sequence can be executed by selecting thefourth mode without using the third mode.

More specifically, it is inhibited to stack sheets of a job to beprocessed on the stacking unit while classifying them every copy. It ispermitted to stack the sheets while classifying them in a unit based ona post-step for the job.

This sequence can be executed even in a case where the fourth mode(height sort mode) is selected, in addition to a case where the thirdmode (post-step designation mode) is selected.

This obviates work to, e.g., initially register post-step information ona near-line post-processing unit and/or post-step information on anoff-line post-processing unit in the memory in order to reflect theinformation in the list of FIG. 13 or 21. By using the fourth mode, theoutput result as shown in FIG. 30 can be obtained by a simpler operationthan that in the third mode.

The third embodiment can, therefore, provide a system optimal for boththe office environment and POD environment, and further enhance theeffect capable of flexibly satisfying various needs from users.

The job to be processed in the fourth mode is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing after explicitly inputting the secondtype instruction information via the UI unit in the third embodiment. Ifthis type of job is to be processed, the controller unit 402 confirms“height information corresponding to a value obtained by expressing theamount of printed materials by height” which is explicitly input by theoperator for the job via the UI unit. The controller unit 402 controlsto stack printed materials of the job on the stacking unit in the thirdembodiment while classifying them every printed materials on the basisof the height information (stacking amount information) of the printedmaterials without classifying them every printed materials of one copy.The fourth mode is based on this relationship.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show control examples when a post-step of storing sheetsin the sheet storage box A 2800 serving as an example of an off-linepost-processing unit is executed after a printing step for a job in theworkflow of the job to be processed.

However, the third embodiment is not limited to these control examples.For example, even when a post-step using another post-processing unit isexecuted in the workflow of a job to be processed, the third and fourthmodes can be selected, and the third sequence can be executed.

This example will be explained using the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1.In FIG. 1, the cutting machine 103 is connected to the network 104 sothat it can communicate data with an external device. According to thedefinitions of the third embodiment, the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1is an example of a near-line post-processing unit.

The cutting machine 103 has a capability of, e.g., simultaneouslycutting a maximum of 490 A4-size sheets each 0.1 mm thick by one cuttingprocess. In this case, the maximum amount of sheets (the thickness of asheet bundle) cuttable at once by the cutting machine 103 is 0.1 mm×490sheets=49 mm.

The cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 has a memory capable of storingvarious types of information such as the machine name, and capabilityinformation for specifying the capability of the cutting machine 103.

In this configuration, the controller unit 402 of the apparatus 101acquires, e.g., various types of information on the cutting machine 103from the cutting machine 103 via the network 104. Alternatively, thecontroller unit 402 receives various types of information on the cuttingmachine 103 from an external information processing apparatus such asthe client PC 102.

The controller unit 402 registers, in the memory of the apparatus 101 inassociation with List 1 in the list of FIG. 13, the information on thecutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 that is acquired by the above method.

By registering the near-line post-processing unit in advance, thecutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 can be utilized as a choice of thenear-line post-processing unit in the list of FIG. 13 or 21.

When the job to be processed is a print job (PDL job), the userinterface unit is, e.g., the display unit of the host computer. In thiscase, the information on the cutting machine 103 is displayed in thelist of FIG. 21 displayed on the display unit of the host computer.

For this purpose, the host computer receives various types ofinformation on the cutting machine 103 from the cutting machine 103 oran external apparatus such as the server via the network 104. Thecontrol unit of the host registers the externally acquired informationon the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 in the memory of the host inassociation with List 1 in the list of FIG. 21.

When the print job is to be transmitted from the host computer to theapparatus 101, the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 can be selected as anear-line post-processing unit from the list of FIG. 21.

Assume that the cutting machine 103 in FIG. 1 is not connected to thenetwork 104 in the system environment of FIG. 1, i.e., the cuttingmachine 103 is electrically and physically disconnected from anotherapparatus. According to the definitions described in the thirdembodiment, the cutting machine 103 in this situation is an example ofan off-line post-processing unit.

In this case, various types of information on the cutting machine 103serving as an example of an off-line post-processing unit are manuallyinput by the operator via the operation unit 404. The controller unit402 registers the manually input information on the cutting machine 103in FIG. 1 in the memory of the apparatus 101 in association with List 1in the list of FIG. 13.

When the job to be processed is a printer job, the user interface unitis, e.g., the display unit of the host computer. In this case, theinformation on the cutting machine 103 is displayed in the list of FIG.21 displayed on the display unit of the host computer.

To display the information, the operator of the host manually inputsvarious types of information on the cutting machine 103 by using anoperation instruction unit such as the keyboard or mouse of the hostcomputer. The control unit of the host registers the manually inputinformation in the memory of the host in association with List 1 in thelist of FIG. 21.

When the print job is transmitted from the host computer to theapparatus 101, the user of the host can select the cutting machine 103in FIG. 1 as an off-line post-processing unit from the list of FIG. 21.

By registering the off-line post-processing unit in advance, the cuttingmachine 103 in FIG. 1 is available as a selection candidate for anoff-line post-processing unit in the list of FIG. 13 or 21.

In this fashion, when the cutting machine 103 is in the near- oroff-line state, it is registered in the list of FIG. 13 or 21.Thereafter, the following job (to be referred to as job D hereinafter)is processed by the image forming system.

For example, the workflow (a series of process steps including aplurality of process steps to be executed by a plurality of devices) tobe executed by the system is scheduled as follows for job D.

For example, for job D, a sheet cutting process step by the cuttingmachine 103 is to be executed as a post-step process upon completion ofa process by the image forming apparatus 101.

In the printing process step executed by the image forming apparatus 101for job D, the user (to be referred to as operator C hereinafter)instructs the apparatus 101 via the UI unit to execute a process basedon the following process conditions. Note that job D is 4-page documentdata.

As a process condition for job D, a sheet with the output paper size=A4size and the output paper type=colored paper is selected as print paper.The thickness of one output paper sheet is 0.5 mm.

As a printing process condition, the output copy count of 4-page job Dis set to 30 copies. The printing style is single-sided printing. Thetotal number of sheets necessary for job D is 4 pages×30 copies=120sheets. In this case, the total height of sheets of job D is 120sheets×0.5 mm=60 mm (6 cm).

In addition, as a printing process condition for job D, execution offinishing by the image forming apparatus is set. More specifically, aninstruction to execute a stapling process by the stapler 3303 of thesheet processing apparatus 720 is input.

The series of process conditions are process conditions for job D thatare directly related to processes to be executed by the image formingapparatus 101 itself.

Processes for job D are not completed only when processes by the imageforming apparatus 101 are completed. Job D requires a process of cuttingsheets of job D by the cutting machine 103 upon completion of theprinting process by the image forming apparatus 101.

For example, the image forming apparatus 101 prints job D. The stapler3303 of the sheet processing apparatus 720 of the apparatus 101 staplessheets of job D. The stapled sheet bundle of job D is delivered from theprocess tray 3302 onto the delivery tray 722. The sheet bundle of job Dis stacked on the delivery tray 722. Consequently, the processesexecuted by the apparatus 101 for job D are completed.

After that, operator C takes out the sheet bundle of job D from thedelivery tray 722, and sets it on the cutting machine 103. The cuttingmachine 103 executes a cutting process for the sheet bundle of job D asa post-step in the workflow of job D. As the cutting process, thecutting machine 103 executes, e.g., a one-side cutting process ofcutting only one of the four edges of sheets, as shown in FIG. 35.

According to the above definitions, the sheet processing apparatus 720is an example of an on-line post-processing unit. In contrast, thecutting machine 103 which is physically disconnected from the apparatus101 is an example of a near-line post-processing unit if the cuttingmachine 103 is connected to the network 104 and electrically connectedto another apparatus. However, if the cutting machine 103 is notconnected to the network 104 and is not electrically connected toanother apparatus, the cutting machine 103 is an example of an off-linepost-processing unit.

In this situation, operator C selects the third mode as a sheet processmode for job D to be input to the image forming apparatus 101, anddesignates a cutting process by the cutting machine 103 as a post-step.This process corresponds to case 5 shown in FIG. 31. The thirdembodiment can deal with this situation.

When a series of printing process conditions for job D are set in theapparatus 101, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 todisplay the window in FIG. 10. The controller unit 402 accepts theabove-described parameters represented in case 5 from operator C via thewindow.

In response to press of the sorter key 1009 in the window of FIG. 10 bythe operator, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 todisplay the window of FIG. 11. The controller unit 402 makes it possibleto accept the post-step designation mode (third mode) as a sheet sortingmethod for job D via the “designate post-step” button 1103 in the windowof FIG. 11. Operator C selects the post-step designation mode with the“designate post-step” button 1103.

The controller unit 402 confirms that job D is a job whose sheetsprinted by the printer unit 403 are to be stacked on the stacking unitwhile they are classified in a unit based on information on a post-stepfor the job. In this example, job D is treated as a job whose sheetsprinted by the printer unit 403 are to be stacked on the delivery tray722 while they are classified in a unit based on information on acutting process by the cutting machine 103.

As the information on the cutting process by the cutting machine 103,the controller unit 402 acquires the following information by thefollowing method.

When the user presses the “designate post-step” button 1103 in FIG. 11,the controller unit 402 sets the third mode. The controller unit 402causes the display unit 605 to display the window of FIG. 13 having adisplay area for displaying a list of post-steps. The controller unit402 makes it possible to accept the cutting step by the cutting machine103 as a post-step for job D from operator C via the list in the windowof FIG. 13. Note that list registration suffices to employ the abovemethod or the like. In this example, the cutting machine 103 isassociated with List 1 in FIG. 13.

Operator C selects the cutting machine in List 1 of the window of FIG.13, sets all process conditions for job D, and presses the start key606. Then, the controller unit 402 accepts data of job D.

In the above example, document data of job D is input from the scannerunit 401. When the document data of job D is accepted from the host, thesettings of job D are accepted via the printer driver of the host,similar to the above-described example.

In the third embodiment, the data input form is arbitrary as far as theuser can select sheet process modes including at least the third mode.Considering user friendliness, the configuration more preferablyprovides a user interface similar to that of the third embodiment.

When the apparatus 101 processes job D for which the third mode is set,the controller unit 402 inhibits execution of the first mode in whichsheets of job D are output as represented by an output result in FIG.26. The controller unit 402 also inhibits execution of the second modein which sheets of job D are output as represented by an output resultin FIG. 27.

The controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 to process job D inthe third mode in which sheets of job D are output as represented by anoutput result in FIG. 31 on the basis of the settings by the user. Inother words, the controller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 toexecute, as a post-step, a sheet classification process in considerationof cutting of a sheet bundle of job D by the cutting machine 103.

In printing job D, the controller unit 402 determines the timing whenthe sheet processing apparatus 720 classifies sheets of job D.

In this example, the maximum allowance of sheets processible by onecutting process as the capability of the cutting machine 103 is 49 mmwhich is the height of a sheet bundle. The thickness of one A4-sizecolored sheet selected by the user for job D is 0.5 mm.

The maximum allowance of sheets of job D of the above medium type thatcan be processed by the cutting machine 103 in one cutting process is 49mm/0.5 mm=98 sheets on a sheet count basis. The total number of sheetsnecessary for job D is 4 pages×30 copies=120 sheets.

A case where no binding process (stapling process) by the sheetprocessing apparatus 720 itself serving as an example of an on-linepost-processing unit is executed for job D will be explained. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 regards, as sheets of the firstclassification, the first to 98th sheets of job D printed by the printerunit 403. The controller unit 402 regards the 99th to 120th sheets ofjob D as sheets of the second classification.

In this example, however, execution of the sheet classification processis inhibited for job D because job D undergoes a binding process(stapling process) by the sheet processing apparatus 720 itself servingas an example of an on-line post-processing unit.

For example, the number of pages of one copy of job D is four, job Drequires single-sided printing, and thus the number of sheets of onecopy is four. In this example, the apparatus prints sequentially fromthe first page. Thus, the 98th sheet is contained in a sheet bundle ofthe 25th copy, i.e., corresponds to the second sheet (sheet P2) of asheet bundle of the 25th copy.

If the classification process is executed when the 98th sheet is output,a sheet bundle of the 25th copy cannot be stapled. Alternatively, asheet bundle of two, sheets P1 and P2 of the 25th copy is stapled, and asheet bundle of two, sheets P3 and P4 of the 25th copy is stapled.Output materials which originally form one bundle are classified intotwo and bound. In this example, such a problem is prevented.

However, if attention is paid to only the above problem to solve it,another problem may occur in a subsequent post-process step to beexecuted for job D.

For example, after the 25th copy is set, the classification process isexecuted using the alignment unit 3304 of the sheet processing apparatus720, i.e., sheets up to the 100th sheet are grouped as sheets of thefirst classification.

If this classification process is executed, sheets exceed the maximumallowance of sheets cuttable at once by the cutting machine 103. Forexample, the total height of sheets of the first classification that arestacked by the classification process is 100 sheets×0.5 mm=50 mm. Thecapability of the cutting machine 103 is 49 mm in height, and the sheetamount exceeds the capability by 1 mm.

That is, even if operator C takes out a sheet bundle of job D from thedelivery tray 722, it cannot be cut at once in this classificationstate.

In order to efficiently cut the sheet bundle of job D by the cuttingmachine 103, operator C himself must classify again the sheet bundle ofjob D taken out from the delivery tray 722. This impairs the effects ofthe third embodiment.

In order to prevent the above problem, the controller unit 402 inhibitsexecution of the above-mentioned sheet classification process for sheetsof job D.

The controller unit 402 controls to execute the sheet classificationprocess for job D so as to stack sheets of job D into a sheet bundle3100 in FIG. 31 on the delivery tray 722.

More specifically, the controller unit 402 inhibits classification offour sheets of the 25th copy into two, first and second classificationsevery two sheets. Further, the controller unit 402 causes the cuttingmachine 103 to cut a sheet bundle classified as that of one groupwithout any user intervention work of, e.g., performing theclassification process again by operator C.

The controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 to execute thisoperation. For example, the controller unit 402 causes the printer unit403 to print a document of job D so that document data of the first tofourth pages of job D are printed page by page on four A4-size coloredsheets each 0.5 mm thick by single-sided printing. After all the foursheets are stacked on the process tray 3302, the stapler 3303 staplesthe sheet bundle at binding positions as shown in FIG. 35 at the leftedge of the sheet bundle. The stapled sheet bundle of the four sheets isdelivered from the process tray 3302 onto the delivery tray 722 by usingthe push member 3305.

The controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 to execute the seriesof work operations by 30 times which corresponds to a total print countset by operator C. Job D having the stapling process setting is a job inthe third mode in which a post-step by the cutting machine 103 hasalready been designated.

The controller unit 402 regards and groups sheet bundles of the first to24th copies of job D as sheets of the first classification, and sheetbundles of the 25th to 30th copies of job D as sheets of the secondclassification.

The controller unit 402 keeps stacking sheets of job D on the deliverytray 722 with their far edges aligned at the first stacking referenceposition until sheet bundles of the first to 24th copies of job D aredelivered onto the delivery tray 722.

In this case, the position of the alignment unit 3304 a is fixed on theprocess tray 3302, and the alignment unit 3304 b is moved toward thealignment unit 3304 a. By this method, sheets are shifted to align theirfar edges at the first alignment position. After the shift operation iscompleted, a bundle of sheets of job D is delivered from the processtray 3302 onto the delivery tray 722 while the bundle is kept at thealignment position. This operation is repeated until a sheet bundle ofthe 24th copy is processed.

After the sheet bundle of the 24th copy is delivered from the processtray 3302 onto the delivery tray 722, the stacking position forsubsequently delivered sheets of job D is changed from that for sheetsof the first classification.

That is, sheets of job D are stacked on the delivery tray 722 so as toalign their near edges at the second alignment position until sheetbundles of the 25th to 30th copies of job D are delivered onto thedelivery tray 722.

In this case, the position of the alignment unit 3304 b is fixed on theprocess tray 3302, and the alignment unit 3304 a is moved toward thealignment unit 3304 b. By this method, sheets are shifted to align theirnear edges at the second alignment position. After the shift operationis completed, a bundle of sheets of job D is delivered from the processtray 3302 onto the delivery tray 722 while the bundle is kept at thealignment position. This operation is repeated until a sheet bundle ofthe 25th copy to a sheet bundle of the 30th copy serving as the lastcopy are processed.

The controller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 to execute the seriesof sheet classification processes in a printing process step for job D.Resultantly, the sheet bundle 3100 in FIG. 31 can be created.

Thereafter, the following process is executed as a post-step for job Din the workflow of job D.

Operator C takes out from the delivery tray 722 sheet bundles of job Dthat are classified as represented by the sheet bundle 3100 in FIG. 31.First, operator C takes out sheet bundles of the 25th to 30th copiescorresponding to sheet bundles of second classification which areclearly sectioned from sheet bundles of the first classification.Operator C brings the sheet bundles to the cutting machine 103, and setsthem at the cutting position.

The cutting machine 103 cuts, at once as one set, the sheet bundles ofthe 25th to 30th copies stapled every copy. That is, the cutting machine103 cuts 4 sheets×6 copies=24 sheets (12 mm) at once as one cuttingprocess.

Then, operator C takes out sheet bundles of the first to 24th copiescorresponding to sheet bundles of first classification from the deliverytray 722 after the sheet bundles of the second classification areremoved. Operator C brings the sheet bundles to the cutting machine 103,and sets them at the cutting position.

The cutting machine 103 cuts, at once as one set, the sheet bundles ofthe first to 24th copies stapled every copy. That is, the cuttingmachine 103 cuts 4 sheets×24 copies=96 sheets (48 mm) at once as onecutting process.

All cutting work operations for job D are completed, and the entireworkflow of job D is completed.

Needles to say, the same output result can also be obtained in thefourth mode, i.e., height designation mode.

For example, operator C grasps the capability of the cutting machine 103in advance. For example, the maximum allowance is 49 mm in height of thesheet bundle.

In this situation, the height sort mode is accepted from operator C viathe height sort key in the window of FIG. 11. Operator C inputs a valuecorresponding to 49 mm via the height input field of the key.

If job D is accepted by this operation method, the controller unit 402executes the same process as the above one without selecting the thirdmode. That is, the controller unit 402 causes the apparatus 101 toexecute a classification process corresponding to the sheet bundle 3100in FIG. 31 for job D.

The above configuration can make full use of the capability of thecutting machine 103 without exceeding its capability in a post-step forjob D. By realizing this configuration, user intervention work of, e.g.,classifying sheets again by the operator after printout can be omitted.In other words, the above effects can be achieved without generating theabove-mentioned problems.

Case 2 in FIG. 27, case 3 in FIG. 29, case 4 in FIG. 30, and case 5 inFIG. 31 are specifications especially suited for the POD environment.However, these cases may occur even in the office environment, and thesespecifications are also suitable for the office environment.

Case 1 in FIG. 26 is a specification mainly suited for the officeenvironment. However, this case may occur even in the POD environment,and the specification is also suitable for the POD environment.

In the third embodiment, a plurality of types of classificationprocesses described above can be executed, and in addition, thefollowing classification process can also be executed by the printingapparatus on the assumption of various use environments. Thisclassification process corresponds to the fourth sequence executed for ajob when the fifth mode is set as a sheet process mode for a job to beprocessed. FIG. 36 shows an example of the fourth sequence.

Case 6 shown in FIG. 36 has the same job process conditions as those incase 1 of FIG. 26, case 2 of FIG. 27, case 3 of FIG. 29, and case 4 ofFIG. 30 except the sorting method.

Similar to case 6 in FIG. 30, a job (to be referred to as job E) forwhich the fifth mode is set as a sheet process mode is accepted as a jobto be processed. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 to classify sheetsof job E every copies designated by the user of the job withoutclassifying them every sheets of one copy.

When the fifth mode is set for the job to be processed, the controllerunit 402 inhibits classification of sheets every sheets of one copy,like the sheet bundle 2600 in FIG. 26, i.e., inhibits execution of thefirst sequence. Also, the controller unit 402 inhibits operating theprinting apparatus so as to stack sheets on the stacking unit withoutclassifying them, like the sheet bundle 2700 in FIG. 27, i.e., inhibitsexecution of the second sequence. The controller unit 402 inhibits theclassification process shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, i.e., inhibits theprinting apparatus from classifying sheets of a job in a unit based on apost-step to be executed for the job after a printing step in theworkflow of the job to be processed. That is, the controller unit 402inhibits execution of the third sequence.

In setting job E, the controller unit 402 accepts various printingprocess conditions shown in case 6 of FIG. 36 from the user via the userinterface unit provided in the third embodiment, similar to the abovecases. For example, the controller unit 402 accepts from the user aninstruction to print job E of 4-page document data by 50 copies onA4-size plain paper sheets by single-sided printing.

The thickness of one sheet selected in this job is 0.1 mm. The totalnumber of sheets necessary for job E is 4 pages×50 copies=200 sheets.The height is 200 sheets×0.1 mm=20 mm.

In the fifth mode, none of the total sheet count information (200sheets), the sheet thickness information (0.1 mm), and the sheet bundlethickness information (20 mm) is utilized. Without using these pieces ofinformation, the controller unit 402 can classify sheets of job E.

For example, in response to press of the sorter key 1009 in the windowof FIG. 10 by the user, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit605 to display the window in FIG. 11. In response to press of the “sortby copy count” button 1101 in the window of FIG. 11, the controller unit402 causes the display unit 605 to execute the copy count sortingsetting window 1201 in FIG. 12. The controller unit 402 allows the userto designate execution of the fifth mode via the “every designatedcopies” button 1203 in the copy count sorting setting window 1201. Thecontroller unit 402 allows the user to determine via the copy countinput field 1204 how many copies the sheet classification process isexecuted.

In the example of FIG. 36, the user checks the “every designated copies”button 1203 for job E and sets the fifth mode. In response to anoperation with the ten-key pad 604, “every 5 copies” is set as adesignated copy count via the copy count input field 1204.

When the user sets the series of printing process conditions and pressesthe start key 606, the controller unit 402 causes the image formingapparatus 101 to starts processing job E, and accepts data of job E.Document image data of job E are scanned by the scanner unit 401, andsequentially stored in the hard disk of the memory 405. The controllerunit 402 causes the printer unit 403 to print the data of job E in thememory.

In the above example, image data of job E is input from the scanner unit401, and thus the operation unit 404 is used as a user interface. When ajob is accepted from a computer, the control unit of the computer causesits display unit to execute the displays in FIGS. 18 to 20. The computerallows its user to input via these displays a series of processconditions including the setting of the fifth mode for job E. The imageforming apparatus 101 receives data of job E which are transmitted fromthe computer in response to a printing execution instruction input viathe printer driver of the computer upon completion of a series of usersettings. The controller unit 402 stores, in the hard disk of the memory405, the data of job E which are accepted in this manner. The controllerunit 402 causes the printer unit 403 to print the data of job E in thememory.

Job E has the same job process conditions as those in case 1 of FIG. 26,case 2 of FIG. 27, case 3 of FIG. 29, and case 4 of FIG. 30 except thesheet sorting method. That is, similar to these examples, the controllerunit 402 causes the printer unit 403 to print job E. For example, thefirst to fourth pages of job E are printed on four A4-size plain papersheets each 0.1 mm thick by single-sided printing. These sheets aredefined as one set, and the document data are repetitively printed at aprintout count of 50 sets which is set by the user. As a result, 50copies are printed. Note that the fifth mode is set as a sheet processmode for job E.

Thus, the controller unit 402 controls the apparatus 101 to classifysheets of job E every copies designated by the user. The result of thisclassification is a sheet bundle 3600 in FIG. 36.

The output copy count set by the user is 50. In selecting the fifth mode(designated copy count mode), the user inputs an instruction to classifysheets every five copies. The controller unit 402 processes job E asfollows. This process will be explained with reference to FIGS. 34 and36.

Sheets (the first to 20th sheets of job E) from sheet bundles of thefirst to 5th copies of job E are stacked as sheets of the firstclassification on the delivery tray 722 with their far edges aligned atthe first stacking reference position. The controller unit 402 executes,on the process tray 3302 using the alignment units 3304 a and 3304 b, asheet shift operation and bundle deliver operation for obtaining thisstacking state.

Note that the methods of the sheet shift operation and bundle deliveroperation on the process tray 3302 have been described in detail, and adescription thereof will be omitted in the description of job E.

All sheets belonging to the first classification of job E are deliveredonto the delivery tray 722 and stacked on the delivery tray 722. Uponcompletion of stacking, the controller unit 402 controls to change thesheet stacking position on the delivery tray 722 for sheet bundles ofthe sixth to 10th copies of job E from that on the delivery tray 722 forsheets of the first classification.

For example, sheets (the 21st to 40th sheets of job E) from sheetbundles of the sixth to 10th copies of job E are stacked as sheets ofthe second classification on the delivery tray 722 with their near edgesaligned at the second stacking reference position. The controller unit402 executes, on the process tray 3302 using the alignment units 3304 aand 3304 b, a sheet shift operation and bundle deliver operation forobtaining this stacking state.

All sheets belonging to the second classification of job E are deliveredonto the delivery tray 722 and stacked on the delivery tray 722. Uponcompletion of stacking, the controller unit 402 controls to change thesheet stacking position on the delivery tray 722 for sheet bundles ofthe 11th to 15th copies of job E from that on the delivery tray 722 forsheets of the second classification.

For example, sheets (the 41st to 60th sheets of job E) from sheetbundles of the 11th to 15th copies of job E are stacked as sheets of thethird classification on the delivery tray 722 with their far edgesaligned at the first stacking reference position. The controller unit402 executes, on the process tray 3302 using the alignment units 3304 aand 3304 b, a sheet shift operation and bundle deliver operation forobtaining this stacking state.

By this method, the controller unit 402 causes the image formingapparatus 101 to execute the sheet classification process for job Eevery five copies designated by the user for job E. The controller unit402 controls to repeat the above process until a sheet bundle of the50th copy corresponding to a sheet bundle of the last copy of job E isprocessed.

That is, all sheets (4 pages×50 copies=a total of 200 sheets) of job Eare stacked on the delivery tray 722 while they are classified asrepresented by the sheet bundle 3600 in FIG. 36.

When a job for which the fifth mode is set is accepted, the controllerunit 402 causes the apparatus 101 to execute the series of processes.

More specifically, when data of a job to be processed are printed by aplurality of copies, the controller unit 402 inhibits stacking of sheetsof the job while they are classified every sheets of one copy. Thecontroller unit 402 controls to stack sheets of the job while they areclassified at a copy count which is different from the number of copiesto be printed and is designated by the user in selecting the fifth mode.

For example, when the controller unit 402 prints data of job E by 50copies, like the control example of FIG. 36, it inhibits stacking ofsheets of job E on the delivery tray 722 while they are classified everysheets of one copy. The controller unit 402 controls the printingapparatus 101 to stack sheets of job E on the delivery tray 722 whilethey are classified every five copies which are different from the “50”copies and are designated by the user in selecting the copy countdesignation mode.

A series of operations executed when the fifth mode is set is called thefourth sequence. If the sheet bundle 3600 in FIG. 36 can be created, thesame effects as those obtained by the third sequence can be attained ina printing environment such as the POD environment. It should be notedthat the fourth sequence can achieve another excellent effect capable ofmeeting, with a simple apparatus configuration and system configuration,use cases and user needs which may occur at the actual work site in aprinting environment such as the POD environment and receive attentionin the third embodiment, as described above.

For example, use cases and needs unique to a printing environment suchas the POD environment, as described in the third embodiment, can bedealt with if the configuration does not correspond to the third orfourth mode but corresponds to the fifth mode. While the above effectsare achieved, downsizing of the system and cost reduction can berealized because of the absence of the third and fourth modes. Incommercialization of the system aimed at a printing environment such asthe POD environment, effects in practical use of the printing system canalso be expected which are weighted together with high job productivity,high operability, high working efficiency, and the like by a POD companyassumed to be a system delivery destination.

In the third mode (operation mode based on the third type instructioninformation) and the fourth mode (operation mode based on the secondtype instruction information), the controller unit 402 must calculatethe print amount of printed materials per classification inconsideration of a post-process, as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 29, and30. In this calculation, the controller unit 402 must confirm the totalnumber of pages of print data of a job to be processed. For example, fora job using the copy function, the controller unit 402 causes thescanner unit 401 to scan a series of document bundles made up of aplurality of document pages to be processed, and stores all the pages inthe HD of the memory 405. At this timing, the total number of pages ofdocument data of the job is finalized. For a job from an externalcomputer, the controller unit 402 expands PDL data into a bitmap image,and after expanding all the pages of the input PDL data, stores thepages in the HD. At this timing, the total number of pages of documentdata of the job is finalized. In other words, the controller unit 402calculates the print amount of printed materials per classification inconsideration of a post-process for a job after all the pages of printdata of the job to be processed are stored in the memory 405 of theprinting apparatus. Then, the controller unit 402 causes the printingapparatus 101 to start a series of printing operations based on thecalculation result. To the contrary, the fifth mode does not require anycalculation process, as described above. In other words, the fifth modedoes not require any process of, e.g., waiting until all the pages of adocument to be processed are stored in the HD in order to count all thepages, and then starting printing the first page of the job.

In the third and fourth modes, therefore, the timing when printing ofprint data of the first page to be processed actually starts may delayfrom that in the fifth mode. That is, a configuration complying with thefifth mode can start printing the first page at an earlier timing andmore quickly complete a job requiring stacking of printed materials inconsideration of a post-step, compared to other modes. In this fashion,the fifth mode exhibits an excellent effect in a printing environmentsuch as the POD environment where an increase in productivity isimportant.

However, the above description is merely an example, and the presentinvention is not limited to this. For example, even in the third andfourth modes, similar to the fifth mode, after print data of the firstpage is stored in the HD, the controller unit 402 causes the printerunit 403 to start printing print data of a job before print data of allpages are stored in the HD. While executing the printing operation, thecontroller unit 402 sequentially counts the number of pages, andreceives from the printer unit 403 a notification representing thecompletion of printing print data of the last page for printed materialsof the first set. At this timing, the controller unit 402 stops countingthe document. At this timing, printing of printed materials of the firstset (first copy) is completed, and the printing operation temporarilysuspends. The controller unit 402 finalizes the total number of pages ofdocument data of the job on the basis of the counting result, andperforms the above calculation. The amount of printed materials of oneclassification is determined by the calculation. If printed materials ofthe second set (second copy) to be printed next need to be classifiedfrom those of the first set, the printed materials of the second set ofthe job are classified from those of the first set and stacked on thedelivery tray 722. If the printed materials of the second set need notbe classified from those of the first set, the printed materials of thesecond set of the job are stacked on the delivery tray 722 so as toalign them at the same stacking reference position without classifyingthem from the printed materials of the first set. Even by this method,the same output result as those illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 29, and 30can be obtained.

As described above, to commercialize the system aimed at a printingenvironment such as the POD environment, the third embodiment finds outpotential use cases and user needs which are not expected in the officeenvironment and may occur in a POD company serving as a system deliverydestination. In addition, the third embodiment can provide a mechanismwhich can satisfy the use cases and user needs. In order to make fulluse of the effects of the configuration in the third embodiment, thethird embodiment also assumes a printing environment different from onesuch as the POD environment, and intends to obtain an effect capable ofapplying the configuration to even the following situation.

Assume that the user is to distribute printed materials of a document ofjob E to all members of his department in the office environment. Thereare 50 members in the department. The members are present separatelyevery five members on 10 floors. In this situation, the apparatus 101executes the sorting process as shown in FIG. 36. Printed materials ofjob E can be easily distributed to the members on the floors.

Assume that a report is given in the conference room using printedmaterials of a document of a job E. The number of participants of themeeting is 50. In the conference room, 10 tables are prepared, and fivemembers are seated at one table. In this situation, the apparatus 101executes the sorting process as shown in FIG. 36. Printed materials ofjob E can be easily distributed to the participants at the tables.

Assume that printed materials of job E are inspected by five operatorsin the POD environment. The work is shared because whether printedmaterials of job E meet requests by the customer is visually checkedmore efficiently not by one operator but by five operators. In thissituation, the apparatus 101 executes the sorting process as shown inFIG. 36. Output materials of job E can be easily distributed equally tothe five operators.

In this way, various environments where the printing apparatus may beintroduced are assumed, and various needs from various users can beflexibly satisfied.

The job to be processed in the fifth mode is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing after he explicitly inputs the first typeinstruction information via the UI unit in the third embodiment. If thistype of job is to be processed, the controller unit 402 confirms “entryinformation corresponding to the designated copy count (X)” which isexplicitly input by the operator for the job via the UI unit inconsideration of a post-process necessary after a printing process forthe job. The controller unit 402 controls to stack printed materials ofthe job on the stacking unit in the third embodiment while classifyingthem every printed materials of designated copies without classifyingthem every printed materials of one copy. The fifth mode is based onthis relationship.

As described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 36, the third embodiment canprovide a plurality of types of sorting methods, and can process atarget job by a sorting method desired by the user.

The third embodiment has described the configuration having the fivesorting methods. For example, the third embodiment has described theconfiguration which allows the user to select the first to fifth modes.The third embodiment has also described the configuration capable ofexecuting four control sequences as control sequences corresponding toselected modes. For example, the third embodiment has described theconfiguration capable of selectively executing the first to fourthsequences.

However, not all the configurations of the third embodiment need beemployed. This is because these mechanisms target high value-addedfunctions capable of flexibly satisfying various needs from varioususers on the assumption that the image forming apparatus is exploited invarious environments. By achieving only some of various effectsdescribed above, problems assumed in BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION can besolved, improving user friendliness and convenience.

For example, at least the third mode and/or fourth mode among theabove-mentioned modes can be selected to cope with not only the officeenvironment but also the POD environment. When the third or fourth modeis selected, the third sequence can be executed. This means a systemconfiguration which allows inputting at least either of the second typeinstruction information and third type instruction information. Thissystem configuration can also contend with the following situation.

For example, the “amount of printed materials processible at once” isdetermined as the performance of the cutting machine. In the PODenvironment, it may be demanded to sort printed materials dischargedfrom the image printing apparatus into a predetermined amount forcutting work and process the printed materials at once by the cuttingmachine in consideration of working efficiency.

Even if this demand arises, a problem may occur when the image formingapparatus does not adopt control which considers a post-step, asdescribed in the third embodiment.

For example, if materials are printed in the output form as shown inFIG. 26 without considering a post-step, the operator must arrange theprinted materials in order to process them at once by the cuttingmachine. If materials are printed in the output form as shown in FIG.27, they may exceed the amount of printed materials processible at onceby the cutting machine. In this case, the quality of the cutting resultmay degrade, and the cutting machine itself may be damaged. Further, the“amount of printed materials processible at once” may change dependingon the type of treated medium, for example, may change between hardpaper and soft paper. The operator must do work in consideration of thispoint.

For this reason, efficient work may be hindered when the image formingapparatus does not adopt control which considers a post-step, asdescribed in the third embodiment. Even if there is a cutting machinewhich changes its operation depending on the medium to be cut, thecutting machine of this type seems to require various settings by theoperator before cutting work. As a result, the work load of the operatortends to increase.

These problems can be prevented by executing the third sequence.

For example, the image forming apparatus comprises at least the fifthmode, and can execute the fourth sequence in accordance with selectionof the fifth mode. This means a system configuration which allowsinputting at least the first type instruction information among thefirst type instruction information to third type instructioninformation.

In this manner, the configuration may comprise at least one of the thirdto fifth modes and at least either of the third and fourth sequences.Needless to say, the configuration may also comprise the first modeand/or second mode. The configuration may be flexibly customized.

It is preferable to employ at least modes except the first mode and/orsecond mode and execute at least sequences except the first sequenceand/or second sequence. This is because the above-described environmentcannot be sufficiently dealt with by an apparatus capable of executingonly the first sequence, an apparatus capable of executing only thesecond sequence, or an apparatus capable of executing both the first andsecond sequences but incapable of executing the remaining sequences.That is, the effects of the third embodiment cannot be fully enhanced.

The sheet storage box A 2800 and cutting machine have been explained asthe near-line post-processing unit and off-line post-processing unit(note that the sheet storage box A 2800 stores sheets printed by theimage forming apparatus and thus is contained as an example of thepost-processing apparatus in the above example).

However, the third embodiment can also treat a post-processing unitother than these post-processing apparatuses in order to flexibly copewith various use environments and user needs as described above.

Other examples of the near-line post-processing unit and/or off-linepost-processing unit are a gluing apparatus capable of gluing sheetsprinted by the printer unit 403, a bookbinding apparatus capable ofbinding sheets printed by the printer unit 403, a packing apparatuscapable of packaging sheets printed by the printer unit 403, a punchingapparatus capable of punching sheets printed by the printer unit 403,and a stapling apparatus which staples sheets printed by the printerunit 403.

In the POD environment or the like, a truck, motorcycle, or the like maybe used to deliver output materials printed by the image formingapparatus to the customer. Such transportation means can also be definedas one post-step which is a delivery step in the workflow. An apparatusfor delivering sheets printed by the printer unit 403 may also becontained as an example of the near- or off-line post-processing unit.

Even when the printing system comprises various post-processingapparatuses, the first to fifth modes and the first to fourth sequencescan be executed to obtain the above effects.

To this effect, the printing system in the third embodiment can bemodified and applied. In the description of the third embodiment, as anexample of the sheet classification process, the sheet processingapparatus 720 shifts sheets bearing data of a job to be processed.However, a process other than the sheet shift process can also beemployed as a sheet classification process.

In the above example, the printing apparatus 101 uses the finisher typesheet processing apparatus 720 which internally executes finishing, asshown in FIG. 33. Instead of the sheet processing apparatus 720, amulti-bin sorter type sheet processing apparatus 3700 having manystacking bins, as shown in FIG. 37, may be connected as an on-linepost-processing unit to the printing apparatus 101.

In this case, the controller unit 402 controls the sheet processingapparatus 3700 to sort, into a plurality of bins, sheets of a job to beprocessed which are conveyed by the discharge rollers 717 from theprinter unit 403 to the sheet processing apparatus 3700. Morespecifically, the controller unit 402 controls to switch the deliverydestination bin at the timing when the sheet classification process fora job to be processed is executed.

For example, all sheets belonging to the first classification out ofsheets of a job to be processed are delivered onto the first stackingbin of the sheet processing apparatus 3700. Upon completion of thisprocess, the controller unit 402 causes the sheet processing apparatus3700 to switch the delivery destination so as to deliver all sheetsbelonging to the second classification of the job to the second stackingbin. For example, the sheet convey path is switched by a flapper or thelike so as to introduce sheets to the second bin. Sheets of a subsequentgroup are also properly delivered to another bin (see the enlarged viewof the sheet processing apparatus 3700 in FIG. 37).

In this fashion, only sheets belonging to a group classified by oneclassification process may be stacked on one stacking bin.

This sheet delivery destination switching process using a multi-bin typesorter as an on-line post-processing unit can be executed. By thismethod, the sheet classification process can be executed. As a matter ofcourse, the multi-bin sorter type sheet processing apparatus 3700 is anexample of an in-line type post-processing unit in the third embodiment.

In addition to the above method, various methods can be adopted as theclassification process. An example of this method is one shown in FIG.38. This method implements the sheet classification process by executinga sheet feed selection process using a plurality of sheet feed units soas to alternately use sheets in the first and second orientations everytime one classification process is completed.

In this case, print sheets whose paper size and paper type aredesignated by a job to be processed are set in the first orientation inthe first sheet feed unit among a plurality of sheet feed unitsincluding sheet feed cassettes 713 and 714 in FIG. 7. Print sheets ofthe same size and type as those of print sheets set in the first sheetfeed unit are set in the second sheet feed unit in the secondorientation perpendicular to the first orientation. For example, A4print paper sheets are set in the landscape orientation in the sheetfeed cassette 713, whereas A4 print paper sheets are set in the portraitorientation in the sheet feed cassette 714.

After the preparations are completed, for example, the controller unit402 causes the image forming apparatus 101 to execute a classificationprocess by the method as shown in FIG. 38.

In this case, for example, the controller unit 402 feeds all sheetsbelonging to the first classification as sheets of a job to be processedfrom the sheet feed cassette 713. The A4 sheets undergo a printingprocess in the landscape orientation, and are stacked on the deliverytray 722 without changing their orientation.

After sheets of the first classification are processed, the controllerunit 402 feeds all sheets belonging to the second classification of thejob from the sheet feed cassette 714. The A4 sheets undergo a printingprocess in the portrait orientation, and are stacked on the deliverytray 722 without changing their orientation.

Note that data printed on sheets of either classification are data ofthe same job. The controller unit 402 causes the image processing unitto properly execute an image rotation process for making theorientations of the images of output results coincide with each other.

For example, for A4 landscape printing, image data is printed byrotating through 90° the orientation from the image orientation used toprint an image on A4 paper in the portrait orientation.

After sheets of the second classification are processed, the controllerunit 402 feeds all sheets belonging to the third classification of thejob from the sheet feed cassette 713. The A4 sheets undergo a printingprocess in the landscape orientation, and are stacked on the deliverytray 722 without changing their orientation. FIG. 38 shows the result ofthis process.

Sheets of subsequent classifications are also printed by alternatelyusing the sheet feed cassettes 713 and 714.

In this manner, sheet feed control can be so executed as to alternatelyuse sheets in the first orientation and those in the second orientationdifferent from the first orientation every time sheets belonging to oneclassification are printed.

In addition to this, the controller unit 402 may control the printingapparatus 101 to insert an interleaving sheet between a sheet bundle ofthe first classification and that of the second classification. As theclassification process, a sheet insertion process using an interleavingsheet can be executed.

As described above, the sheet classification process may be implementedby any method. It is preferable to stack sheets so that the user whotakes out a sheet bundle from the stacking unit can grasp a breakbetween sheets as much as possible.

Note that the first to fifth modes may also be called the first to fifthsheet stacking modes in the sense that classified sheets are stacked.

As described above, the controller unit 402 makes it possible to select,from a plurality of types of sheet stacking modes, a stacking mode basedon an instruction which is input from the user via the user interfaceunit. The controller unit 402 controls the printing apparatus in thethird embodiment to stack sheets of a job to be processed on thestacking unit such as the delivery tray 722 by a stacking method(stacking form) corresponding to the selected stacking mode.

That is, printed materials can be stacked as illustrated by the sheetbundle 2600 in FIG. 26, the sheet bundle 2700 in FIG. 27, the sheetbundle 2900 in FIG. 29, the sheet bundle 3000 in FIG. 30, the sheetbundle 3100 in FIG. 31, the sheet bundle 3600 in FIG. 36, and the like.Sheets (synonymous with print media or printed materials) of a job to beprocessed can be stacked in a stacking form desired by the operator onthe stacking unit of the printing system including the printingapparatus 101. This configuration can achieve the above effects.

As described above, the printing system in the third embodiment canprovide a mechanism capable of coping with various printing environmentsas described above with an eye toward future digital printing systems.In order to further enhance the effects of the third embodiment, thefollowing control may be executed.

As described in the third embodiment and the like, the printing systemis also compatible with the box function. Hence, the followingconfiguration is provided.

For example, the operator presses the function selection key (box tab)1003 in the display of FIG. 10 executed by the display unit 605. Inresponse to the press, the controller unit 402 determines that the boxfunction has been selected. In this case, the controller unit 402 causesthe display unit 605 to display a document list selection window 3900Aas illustrated in FIG. 39A. The document list selection window 3900A isa display window configured to allow the operator to select one or aplurality of desired documents from document data of jobs to beprocessed with the box function that are saved in the hard disk (to bereferred to as the HD hereinafter) of the memory 405 of the printingapparatus 101.

For example, the operator selects the first 3-page document data (to bereferred to as document A hereinafter) in the list via a list 3901 inFIG. 39A. In addition, the operator selects the third 2-page documentdata (to be referred to as document B hereinafter) in the list via thelist 3901 in FIG. 39A. In response to the document selection operationby the operator in the list 3901, the controller unit 402 controls thedisplay unit 605 to reflect the display selection state by the operatorin the display contents. For example, the controller unit 402 changesthe display contents of the document selection window from displaycontents in FIG. 39A to those in FIG. 39B in response to the documentselection operation by the operator in the list 3901.

As represented by the display of FIG. 39B, the controller unit 402executes display control to allow the operator to specify that heselected document A first from the list 3901 and then selected documentB. Further, when a document is selected from the list 3901, thecontroller unit 402 executes display control to allow the operator toexplicitly designate a process to the document selected by the operatorin the document selection window.

For example, when the operator does not select any document from thelist 3901, operation keys (e.g., a print key 3902) for inputting variousinstructions are disabled in the window, as represented by the displayof FIG. 39A. As the display disabling method, for example, the displaymay be grayed out, as represented by the display example of FIG. 39A.Alternatively, the display may be hatched. In any configuration, it iscontrolled to inhibit acceptance of an instruction from the operator soas not to input any erroneous instruction from the operator.

In contrast, when the operator selects a document from the list 3901,the controller unit 402 controls the display unit 605 to enable, in thedocument selection window, the operation keys (e.g., the print key 3902)for inputting various instructions for the document selected from thelist 3901, as represented by the display of FIG. 39B.

As described above, the operator selects a plurality of document data ofa plurality of independent jobs from the list 3901. The printingapparatus 101 in the third embodiment comprises a multi-documentsuccessive print function based on a condition that document data of aplurality of jobs are selected from the list 3901.

For example, when documents are selected from the list 3901, asdescribed above, the controller unit 402 reads out, from the HD,document data corresponding to document A selected first from the list3901, and causes the printer unit 403 to print the document data.Successively, the controller unit 402 reads out, from the HD, documentdata corresponding to document B selected next from the list 3901, andcauses the printer unit 403 to print the document data.

The printing apparatus 101 comprises this successive print function ofcausing the printer unit 403 to successively print document data ofindependent jobs selected by the operator from the list 3901 in the sameorder as the order of selecting these documents from the list 3901. Notethat successive printing of a plurality of document data means that aplurality of document data are successively printed in response to oneprinting execution request input operation without inputting a pluralityof printing execution requests by the operator.

The printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment comprises a documentmerge function of treating and outputting a plurality of document datato be successively printed as document data of one job. In addition, theprinting apparatus 101 comprises a document non-merge function oftreating and outputting a plurality of document data to be successivelyprinted as document data of separate jobs.

On the premise of this configuration, the controller unit 402 allows theoperator to select whether to merge and successively print independentdocument data to be successively printed as one merged document data orsuccessively print the document data as separate ones.

For example, the operator presses the print key 3902 enabled in thewindow while selecting documents A and B in the order named, as shown inthe document example of FIG. 39B. Then, the controller unit 402 causesthe display unit 605 to execute a display as illustrated in FIG. 40A.

The display in FIG. 40A is a display window having a function of makingprint settings for a document selected from the list 3901 and a functionof inputting a printing start instruction. The display in FIG. 40Aexecuted on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 comprisesthe following display building elements.

(Display Field 4001) A display field 4001 displays information whichallows the operator to confirm the number of documents selected by theoperator from the list 3901, and information which allows the operatorto confirm printing process conditions currently set for the selecteddocument data. In this example, the operator selects two documents A andB from the list 3901. As illustrated in FIG. 40A, the controller unit402 displays “the number of selected documents: 2” in the display field4001 in order to notify the operator of the selected documents. In thisexample, the paper size=“A4 size”, the paper type=“thick paper 1 mm inthickness”, and the total print count=“1” are set as the printingprocess conditions of the selected document data. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 40A, the controller unit 402 displays, in thedisplay field 4001, that “the paper size: A4, the print count: 1” arecurrently set as the printing process conditions of the selecteddocuments.

(Sorter Key 4002) A sorter key 4002 is an operation instruction key usedby the operator to input an instruction for displaying on the displayunit 605 a display window for allowing the operator to explicitly inputone of the first type instruction information to third type instructioninformation described above for each job. For example, when the operatorpresses the sorter key 4002, the controller unit 402 causes the displayunit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 11 in response to the press.After that, the controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 toexecute the displays in FIGS. 12 and 13 in response to an operation bythe operator, as described in detail in the first embodiment. Byperforming UI control in this example, the controller unit 402 canexecute a printed material classification process in consideration of anon-in-line type post-processing unit even for a box function jobrequiring a printing process for document data selected from the list3901.

(Document Merge Key 4004) A document merge key 4004 is an operationinstruction key used by the operator to determine whether to print aplurality of independent document data selected by the operator from thelist 3901 as one document data or successively print them as separatedocument data. In this example, if the operator presses the documentmerge key 4004 and then presses a print start key 4003, the controllerunit 402 determines that an instruction “merge documents” is input. Inthis case, the controller unit 402 prints out, as one document, twoindependent documents A and B selected by the operator from the list3901. If the operator presses the print start key 4003 without pressingthe document merge key 4004, the controller unit 402 determines that no“merge documents” instruction is input. In this case, the controllerunit 402 prints out, as separate documents, two independent documents Aand B selected by the operator from the list 3901. Even in this case,documents A and B are successively printed in the same order as thedocument selection order in the list 3901. That is, print data ofdocuments A and B are successively printed except that the printoutstyle changes between whether to output documents A and B as onedocument and whether to output them as separate documents, depending onwhether or not to merge documents.

(Print Start Key 4003) The print start key 4003 is an operationinstruction key used by the operator to input a printing executioninstruction for a document selected from the list 3901 after theoperator sets various printing process conditions as illustrated in FIG.40A.

The controller unit 402 causes the display unit 605 to execute thedisplay in FIG. 40A as a window having these display building elements.Through the display in FIG. 40A, the operator can set the print count ofa job to be processed, paper, and various application modes (e.g.,reduction layout).

In the printing system, the controller unit 402 controls to successivelyprint a plurality of document data selected by the operator from aplurality of document data in the HD of the printing apparatus 101, likethe above-described box function job. Also, the printing apparatus 101comprises the document merge function of merging a plurality ofdocuments to be successively printed and printing the merged document inthe successive print mode. Further, the printing apparatus 101 comprisesthe document non-merge function of printing a plurality of documentssubjected to successive printing in the successive print mode withoutmerging them. The operator can select whether to merge documents. Whenan instruction to merge documents is input with the document merge key4004, the controller unit 402 merges a plurality of independent documentdata to be successively printed into one document data, and prints themerged document data. When no instruction to merge documents is inputwith the document merge key 4004, the controller unit 402 prints aplurality of independent document data to be successively printed asseparate document data without merging the documents. The controllerunit 402 controls the printing system including the printing apparatus101 in the third embodiment to execute this selective operation.

In the third embodiment, even when a plurality of document data to besuccessively printed are printed, as described above, the controllerunit 402 controls the printing system to execute, for a job to beprocessed, an operation concerning the above-described printed materialclassification process of the third embodiment. In the above-describedcase, the controller unit 402 controls the system to execute a “printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process usinga non-in-line post-processing unit necessary after a printing process bythe printing apparatus 101 for a job to be processed”.

For example, the operator explicitly inputs instruction informationcorresponding to one of the first type instruction information to thirdtype instruction information via the operation unit 404 for a “jobrequiring successive printing of a plurality of documents and documentmerge of them”. In this case, the controller unit 402 stacks, on thestacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722), printed materials of a “jobrequiring successive printing of a plurality of documents and documentmerge of them” while classifying the printed materials every printedmaterials in consideration of a post-process for the job. On thecontrary, the operator explicitly inputs instruction informationcorresponding to one of the first type instruction information to thirdtype instruction information via the operation unit 404 for a “jobrequiring successive printing of a plurality of documents but nodocument merge of them”. Also in this case, the controller unit 402stacks, on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722), printedmaterials of a “job requiring successive printing of a plurality ofdocuments but no document merge of them” while classifying the printedmaterials every printed materials in consideration of a post-process forthe job.

It should be noted in the third embodiment that the classificationmethod of a printed material classification operation which considers apost-process (post-step) is changed (discriminated) between a jobrequiring successive printing and document merge and a job not requiringdocument merge. A concrete example of this control executed by thecontroller unit 402 will be explained using a control example in whichdocuments A and B are selected as successive printing targets from thelist 3901 illustrated in FIG. 39B.

A control example associated with a printed material classificationoperation executed when no document is merged will be described.

For example, the operator selects document A and then document B fromthe list 3901, and presses the print key 3902. In response to this, thecontroller unit 402 changes the display contents of the display unit 605from the display window in FIG. 39B to that in FIG. 40A.

In the window of FIG. 40A, a total print count of four copies is set fora “job for successively printing documents A and B in order of documentA→document B”. The controller unit 402 controls the display unit 605 toreflect the operator setting in the display contents. For example, thecontroller unit 402 changes the display state from a window 4000A inFIG. 40A to a window 4000B in FIG. 40B.

Thereafter, the operator presses the sorter key 4002 in the display ofFIG. 40B. In response to the operator's operation, the controller unit402 causes the display unit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 11. Then,the operator presses the “sort by copy count” button 1101 in the displayof FIG. 11. In response to the operator's operation, the controller unit402 causes the display unit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 12.

While the display window in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit605, the operator presses the “every copy” button 1202 to input aninstruction “to stack printed materials while classifying them everyprinted materials of one copy” for the job. Upon completion of thesettings by the operator in the display of FIG. 12, the controller unit402 causes the display unit 605 to display the display window in FIG.40B again.

As described above, the operator inputs an instruction on the printedmaterial sorting operation. Then, for example, the operator presses theprint start key 4003 to input a printing execution request for the jobto be processed without inputting any document merge instruction withthe document merge key 4004 in the window 4000B of FIG. 40B.

When the operator makes various settings and requests execution ofprinting, as described above, the controller unit 402 determines thatthe job is a “job requiring successive printing of documents A and B inorder of document A→document B, but not requiring document merge”. Inaddition, the controller unit 402 determines that the job is a “jobrequiring printing of four copies in total and stacking of printedmaterials while classifying them every printed materials of one copy”.The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations based on the process conditions set by theoperator for the job. More specifically, the controller unit 402controls the printing system to execute, for the job, a series ofprinting operations for obtaining a sheet bundle 4100A illustrated inFIG. 41A as the final stacking result of the printed materials of thejob on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722). Note that the“series of printing operations” means that the printing operationsinclude both a printing process for printed materials by the printerunit 403 and a classification process for the printed materials. Controlexecuted by the controller unit 402 for the job will be explained inmore detail with reference to FIG. 41A.

For example, on the basis of the above-mentioned setting instruction bythe operator on the operation unit 404, the controller unit 402determines that the process conditions of the job are those shown in(case A) of FIG. 41A. That is, the operator inputs the following processconditions via the operation unit 404 for the job.

(Condition 1) Document A of 3-page document data and document B of2-page document data are successively printed as separate documents inprint order of document A→document B. This means that “successiveprinting is performed, but no document merge is performed”.

(Condition 2) The output paper size is A4 size, the output paper type isthick paper, the thickness of one paper sheet is 1 mm, the total outputcount is four copies, and single-sided printing is executed.

In this case, the total number of sheets (also called print paper orprint media) necessary for the job is 20 sheets=a sum of 12 sheetsnecessary to print 3-page document A by four copies by single-sidedprinting, and 8 sheets necessary to print 2-page document B by fourcopies by single-sided printing. The stacking amount (total height) ofall printed materials of the job is 20 sheets×1 mm=2 cm.

(Condition 3) The job requires a printed material classification processevery printed materials of one copy. In other words, the first mode isdesignated as a sorting method for the job.

The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations complying with these process conditions so as toobtain the stacking result as shown in FIG. 41A for the job. In theseries of printing operations, the following steps are executedsequentially in the following order. Note that the reference method forthe sheet bundle 4100A in FIG. 41A is the same as that described withreference to FIG. 26 and the like, and will be briefly explained.

[Step 1] Data of document A are read out from the HD, and single-sidedprinting of the three pages of document A is executed. The printedmaterials are defined as those of the first set. The bundle is sodelivered as to align the edges of the printed materials of the firstset at the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on thedelivery tray 722.

[Step 2] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the second set. The printedmaterials of the second set are stacked with a shift from those of thefirst set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the second set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 3] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the third set. The printedmaterials of the third set are stacked with a shift from those of thesecond set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the third set at the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34)on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 4] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the fourth set. The printedmaterials of the fourth set are stacked with a shift from those of thethird set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the fourth set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 5] Data of document B are read out from the HD, and single-sidedprinting of the two pages of document B is executed. The printedmaterials are defined as those of the fifth set. The printed materialsof the fifth set are stacked with a shift from those of the fourth set.In other words, the shift operation and bundle delivery operation are soexecuted as to align the edges of the printed materials of the fifth setat the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the deliverytray 722.

[Step 6] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the sixth set. The printedmaterials of the sixth set are stacked with a shift from those of thefifth set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the sixth set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG. 34)on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 7] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the seventh set. The printedmaterials of the seventh set are stacked with a shift from those of thesixth set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the seventh set at the first stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 8] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the eighth set. The printedmaterials of the eighth set are stacked with a shift from those of theseventh set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the eighth set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722.

Accordingly, the series of printing operations for the job is completed.The final stacking result of the job corresponding to (case A) in FIG.41A on the delivery tray 722 is the stacking result as represented bythe sheet bundle 4100A in FIG. 41A. Note that the series of printingoperations in [step 1] to [step 8] for obtaining the stacking result inFIG. 41A is sequentially, automatically executed by inputting only oneprinting execution request by the operator with the print start key 4003in FIG. 40B.

The control example in FIG. 41A executed by the controller unit 402corresponds to a control example of inhibiting document merge ofdocuments A and B, printing documents A and B, and stacking printedmaterials of the job while classifying them every printed materials ofone copy.

The printing system is configured as follows when a printing processrequiring document merge of documents A and B is executed to stackprinted materials of the job while classifying the printed materialsevery printed materials of one copy.

For example, in the above-described control example, the operatorexecutes the same settings up to display of the display window in FIG.40B again on the display unit 605. In this stage, the operator pressesthe document merge key 4004 in the display of FIG. 40B. In response tothe operator's operation, the controller unit 402 controls the displayunit 605 to change to the display state in FIG. 40C. The window in FIG.40C shows a state after document merge is designated. Then, the operatorpresses the print start key 4003, and the controller unit 402 acceptsthe printing execution request.

In this case, the controller unit 402 determines that the job to beprocessed is a “job requiring successive printing of documents A and Bin order of document A→document B and requiring document merge”. Inaddition, the controller unit 402 determines that the job is a “jobrequiring printing of four copies in total and stacking of printedmaterials while classifying them every printed materials of one copy”.The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations based on the process conditions set by theoperator for the job. More specifically, the controller unit 402controls the printing system to execute, for the job, a series ofprinting operations for obtaining a sheet bundle 4100B illustrated inFIG. 41B as the final stacking result of the printed materials of thejob on the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722). Control executedby the controller unit 402 for the job will be explained in more detailwith reference to FIG. 41B.

For example, on the basis of the above-mentioned setting instruction bythe operator on the operation unit 404, the controller unit 402determines that the process conditions of the job are those shown in(case B) of FIG. 41B. That is, the operator inputs the following processconditions via the operation unit 404 for the job.

(Condition 1) Document A of 3-page document data and document B of2-page document data are printed as one document. This means that“successive printing is performed, and document merge is performed”.

In the third embodiment, a document obtained by merging a plurality ofdocuments into one will be referred to as a merged document. In thisexample, the controller unit 402 executes data read control from the HDand a data creation process so as to print a merged document of fivepages in total that is made up of document data of 3-page document A andthat of 2-page document B. Documents A and B which form the mergeddocument are merged in the same order as the document selection order bythe operator in the list 3901. In this example, the operator selectsdocument A and then document B from the list 3901. Hence, the controllerunit 402 executes the data read control from the HD and the datageneration process so that the first to third pages of the 5-page mergeddocument are the first to third pages of document A and the fourth andfifth pages of the merged document are the first and second pages ofdocument B.

(Condition 2) The output paper size is A4 size, the output paper type isthick paper, the thickness of one paper sheet is 1 mm, the total outputcount is four copies, and single-sided printing is executed.

In this case, the total number of sheets (also called print paper orprint media) necessary for the job is 5 pages×4 copies=20 sheets whichis the number of print sheets necessary to print the 5-page mergeddocument by four copies by single-sided printing. The stacking amount(total height) of all printed materials of the job is 20 sheets×1 mm=2cm.

(Condition 3) The job requires a printed material classification processevery printed materials of one copy. In other words, the first mode isdesignated as a sorting method for the job.

The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations complying with these process conditions so as toobtain the stacking result as shown in FIG. 41B for the job. In theseries of printing operations, the following steps are executedsequentially in the following order. Note that the reference method forthe sheet bundle 4100B in FIG. 41B is also the same as that describedwith reference to FIG. 26 and the like, and will be briefly explained.

[Step 1] Data of document A and that of document B are read out from theHD to create a merged document of five pages in total by mergingdocuments A and B in the above-mentioned merge order using the freespace of the HD. Then, single-sided printing of the generated mergeddocument is executed. The printed materials are defined as those of thefirst set. The bundle is so delivered as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the first set at the firststacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722.

The merged document made up of the data of documents A and B is usedrepetitively for four copies until a series of operations for the jobends. For this purpose, the controller unit 402 holds the generatedmerged document data in the memory of the HD until all the processes forthe job end.

[Step 2] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the second set. The printed materials of the merged documentof the second set are stacked with a shift from those of the mergeddocument of the first set. In other words, the shift operation andbundle delivery operation are so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the second set at the secondstacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 3] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the third set. The printed materials of the merged documentof the third set are stacked with a shift from those of the mergeddocument of the second set. In other words, the shift operation andbundle delivery operation are so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the third set at the firststacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 4] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the fourth set. The printed materials of the merged documentof the fourth set are stacked with a shift from those of the mergeddocument of the third set. In other words, the shift operation andbundle delivery operation are so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the fourth set at the secondstacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722.

Consequently, the series of printing operations for the job iscompleted. The final stacking result of the job corresponding to (caseB) in FIG. 41B on the delivery tray 722 is the stacking result asrepresented by the sheet bundle 4100B in FIG. 41B. Note that the seriesof printing operations in [step 1] to [step 4] for obtaining thestacking result in FIG. 41B is sequentially, automatically executed byinputting only one printing execution request by the operator with theprint start key 4003.

The control example in FIG. 41A is executed by the printing system whenthe controller unit 402 accepts a “job requiring printing of a pluralityof documents, not requiring document merge, and requiring a printedmaterial classification process every printed materials of one copy”.

The control example in FIG. 41B is executed by the printing system whenthe controller unit 402 accepts a “job requiring printing of a pluralityof documents, requiring document merge, and requiring a printed materialclassification process every printed materials of one copy”.

How the controller unit 402 controls the system when “it is inhibited toexecute a printed material classification process every printedmaterials of one copy, and a classification process every printedmaterials in consideration of a post-process necessary after a printingprocess is required” will be described below in order.

This control will be explained with reference to FIG. 41C. Processconditions in (case C) in FIG. 41C are the same as those in (case A) inFIG. 41A except the sorting method. In (case C) of FIG. 41C, the fifthmode is set. In other words, this job is one for which the operatorrequests execution of printing with the print start key 4003 afterexplicitly inputting the first type instruction information. When thefifth mode is selected for the job, like (case C) in FIG. 41C, thefollowing operation flow is executed.

For example, the operator presses the sorter key 4002 in the display ofFIG. 40B. In response to the press, the controller unit 402 causes thedisplay unit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 11. The operator pressesthe “sort by copy count” button 1101, and the controller unit 402 causesthe display unit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 12. While thedisplay unit 605 executes the display in FIG. 12, the operator pressesthe “every designated copies” button 1203 and sets “2” copies as adesignated copy count via the copy count input field 1204. The displayreturns to the display window in FIG. 40B, and the operator presses theprint start key 4003 without inputting any document merge instructionwith the document merge key 4004. Then, the controller unit 402 acceptsthe printing execution request for the job to be processed. Throughthese operation procedures, a series of process conditions asrepresented in (case C) of FIG. 41C are set for the job to be processed.The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations based on (case C) of FIG. 41C for the job.

When the operator makes various settings and requests execution ofprinting, as described above, the controller unit 402 determines thatthe job is a “job requiring successive printing of documents A and B inorder of document A→document B, but not requiring document merge”. Inaddition, the controller unit 402 determines that the job is a “jobrequiring printing of four copies in total and stacking of printedmaterials while classifying them every printed materials of two copiescorresponding to the designated copy count”. The controller unit 402controls the printing system to execute, for the job, a series ofprinting operations based on the process conditions set by the operatorfor the job. More specifically, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system to execute, for the job, a series of printing operationsfor obtaining a sheet bundle 4100C illustrated in FIG. 41C as the finalstacking result of the printed materials of the job on the stacking unit(e.g., the delivery tray 722). Control executed by the controller unit402 for the job will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG.41C.

For example, on the basis of the above-mentioned setting instruction bythe operator on the operation unit 404, the controller unit 402determines that the process conditions of the job are those shown in(case C) of FIG. 41C. That is, the operator inputs the following processconditions for the job via the operation unit 404.

(Condition 1) Document A of 3-page document data and document B of2-page document data are successively printed as separate documents inprint order of document A→document B. This means that “successiveprinting is performed, but no document merge is performed”.

(Condition 2) The output paper size is A4 size, the output paper type isthick paper, the thickness of one paper sheet is 1 mm, the total outputcount is four copies, and single-sided printing is executed.

In this case, the total number of sheets (also called print paper orprint media) necessary for the job is 20 sheets=a sum of 12 sheetsnecessary to print 3-page document A by four copies by single-sidedprinting, and 8 sheets necessary to print 2-page document B by fourcopies by single-sided printing. The stacking amount (total height) ofall printed materials of the job is 20 sheets×1 mm=2 cm.

(Condition 3) The job requires a printed material classification processevery printed materials of two copies corresponding to the designatedcopy count. In other words, the fifth mode is designated as a sortingmethod for the job.

The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations complying with these process conditions so as toobtain the stacking result as shown in FIG. 41C for the job. In theseries of printing operations, the following steps are executedsequentially in the following order. Note that the reference method forthe sheet bundle 4100C in FIG. 41C is the same as that described withreference to FIG. 36 and the like, and will be briefly explained.

[Step 1] Data of document A are read out from the HD, and single-sidedprinting of the three pages of document A is executed. The printedmaterials are defined as those of the first set. The bundle is sodelivered as to align the edges of the printed materials of the firstset at the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on thedelivery tray 722.

[Step 2] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the second set. It isinhibited to stack the printed materials of the second set with a shiftfrom those of the first set. In other words, the bundle deliveryoperation is so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the second set at the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34)on the delivery tray 722 that is the same as that of the printedmaterials of the first set.

[Step 3] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the third set. The printedmaterials of the third set are stacked with a shift from those of thesecond set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the third set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG. 34)on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 4] The data of document A are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the three pages of document A is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the fourth set. It isinhibited to stack the printed materials of the fourth set with a shiftfrom those of the third set. In other words, the bundle deliveryoperation is so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the fourth set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722 that is the same as that of the printedmaterials of the third set.

[Step 5] Data of document B are read out from the HD, and single-sidedprinting of the two pages of document B is executed. The printedmaterials are defined as those of the fifth set. The printed materialsof the fifth set are stacked with a shift from those of the fourth set.In other words, the shift operation and bundle delivery operation are soexecuted as to align the edges of the printed materials of the fifth setat the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the deliverytray 722.

[Step 6] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the sixth set. It is inhibitedto stack the printed materials of the sixth set with a shift from thoseof the fifth set. In other words, the bundle delivery operation is soexecuted as to align the edges of the printed materials of the sixth setat the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the deliverytray 722 that is the same as that of the printed materials of the fifthset.

[Step 7] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the seventh set. The printedmaterials of the seventh set are stacked with a shift from those of thesixth set. In other words, the shift operation and bundle deliveryoperation are so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the seventh set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 8] The data of document B are read out from the HD, andsingle-sided printing of the two pages of document B is executed. Theprinted materials are defined as those of the eighth set. It isinhibited to stack the printed materials of the eighth set with a shiftfrom those of the seventh set. In other words, the bundle deliveryoperation is so executed as to align the edges of the printed materialsof the eighth set at the second stacking reference position (see FIG.34) on the delivery tray 722 that is the same as that of the printedmaterials of the seventh set.

As a result, the series of printing operations for the job is completed.The final stacking result of the job corresponding to (case C) in FIG.41C on the delivery tray 722 is the stacking result as represented bythe sheet bundle 4100C in FIG. 41C. Note that the series of printingoperations in [step 1] to [step 8] for obtaining the stacking result inFIG. 41C is sequentially, automatically executed by inputting only oneprinting execution request by the operator with the print start key 4003in FIG. 40B.

The control example in FIG. 41C executed by the controller unit 402corresponds to a control example of inhibiting document merge ofdocuments A and B, printing documents A and B, inhibiting execution of aclassification process every printed materials of one copy, andexecuting a classification process every printed materials inconsideration of a post-process.

The printing system is configured as follows when a printing processrequiring document merge of documents A and B is executed, execution ofa classification process every printed materials of one copy isinhibited, and a classification process every printed materials inconsideration of a post-process is executed.

For example, the stage until the controller unit 402 causes the displayunit 605 to execute the display in FIG. 11 in the control exampleillustrated in FIG. 41C proceeds basically under the same conditions asthose illustrated in FIG. 41C. The operator sets one of the followingsorting methods via the display of FIG. 12.

(1) The operator selects the third mode by pressing the “designatepost-step” button 1103, and selects “item no 3” in the list display ofFIG. 13. This means that the operator explicitly inputs the third typeinstruction information for a job to be processed.

(2) The operator selects the fourth mode by pressing the “sort byheight” button 1102, and inputs a numerical value “10 mm” as heightinformation in the “sort by height” button 1102. This means that theoperator explicitly inputs the second type instruction information for ajob to be processed.

(3) The operator selects the fifth mode by pressing the “everydesignated copies” button 1203, and inputs a numerical value “2 copies”as designated copy count information in the copy count input field 1204.This means that the operator explicitly inputs the first typeinstruction information for a job to be processed.

After the operator explicitly inputs instruction informationcorresponding to one of the first type instruction information to thirdtype instruction information via the operation unit 404 for the job tobe processed, the display returns to the display window in FIG. 40B.

In the display state of FIG. 40B, the operator presses the documentmerge key 4004 to input a document merge instruction. In this case, thecontroller unit 402 controls to change the display contents to thoseshown in FIG. 40C. Then, the operator presses the print start key 4003,and the controller unit 402 accepts the printing execution request forthe job to be processed. Through these operation procedures, a series ofprocess conditions as represented in (case D) of FIG. 41D are set forthe job to be processed. The controller unit 402 controls the printingsystem to execute a series of printing operations based on (case D) ofFIG. 41D for the job. Control executed by the controller unit 402 forthe job will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 41D.

For example, on the basis of the above-mentioned setting instruction bythe operator on the operation unit 404, the controller unit 402determines that the process conditions of the job are those shown in(case D) of FIG. 41D. That is, the operator inputs the following processconditions via the operation unit 404 for the job.

(Condition 1) Document A of 3-page document data and document B of2-page document data are printed as one document. This means that“successive printing is performed, and document merge is performed”.This also means printing of a merged document, similar to FIG. 41B. Themethod of generating a merged document of documents A and B is also thesame as that in FIG. 41B, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Condition 2) The output paper size is A4 size, the output paper type isthick paper, the thickness of one paper sheet is 1 mm, the total outputcount is four copies, and single-sided printing is executed. The totalnumber of sheets (also called print paper or print media) necessary forthe job is 5 pages×4 copies=20 sheets which is the number of printsheets necessary to print the 5-page merged document by four copies bysingle-sided printing. The stacking amount (total height) of all printedmaterials of the job is 20 sheets×1 mm=2 cm.

(Condition 3) The job requires a printed material classification processevery printed materials of one copy. In other words, the third, fourth,or fifth mode is designated as a sorting method for the job. Detailedprocess condition parameters in each mode have been described above andare represented by the sorting method in (case D) of FIG. 41D, and adescription thereof will be omitted.

The controller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute a seriesof printing operations complying with these process conditions so as toobtain the stacking result as shown in FIG. 41D for the job. In theseries of printing operations, the following steps are executedsequentially in the following order. Note that the reference method fora sheet bundle 4100D in FIG. 41D is the same as that described withreference to FIGS. 29, 30, and 36 and the like, and will be brieflyexplained.

[Step 1] Data of document A and that of document B are read out from theHD to create a merged document of five pages in total by mergingdocuments A and B in the above-mentioned merge order using the freespace of the HD. Then, single-sided printing of the generated mergeddocument is executed. The printed materials are defined as those of themerged document of the first set. The bundle is so delivered as to alignthe edges of the printed materials of the merged document of the firstset at the first stacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on thedelivery tray 722. The merged document made up of the data of documentsA and B is used repetitively for four copies until a series ofoperations for the job ends. For this purpose, the controller unit 402holds the generated merged document data in the memory of the HD untilall the processes for the job end.

[Step 2] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the second set. It is inhibited to stack the printedmaterials of the merged document of the second set with a shift fromthose of the merged document of the first set. In other words, thebundle delivery operation is so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the second set at the firststacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722 thatis the same as that of the printed materials of the merged document ofthe first set.

[Step 3] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the third set. The printed materials of the merged documentof the third set are stacked with a shift from those of the mergeddocument of the second set. In other words, the shift operation andbundle delivery operation are so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the third set at the secondstacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722.

[Step 4] Single-sided printing of the generated merged document isexecuted. The printed materials are defined as those of the mergeddocument of the fourth set. It is inhibited to stack the printedmaterials of the merged document of the fourth set with a shift fromthose of the merged document of the third set. In other words, thebundle delivery operation is so executed as to align the edges of theprinted materials of the merged document of the fourth set at the secondstacking reference position (see FIG. 34) on the delivery tray 722 thatis the same as that of the printed materials of the merged document ofthe third set.

As a result, the series of printing operations for the job is completed.The final stacking result of the job corresponding to (case D) in FIG.41D on the delivery tray 722 is the stacking result as represented bythe sheet bundle 4100D in FIG. 41D. Note that the series of printingoperations in [step 1] to [step 4] for obtaining the stacking result inFIG. 41D is sequentially, automatically executed by inputting only oneprinting execution request by the operator with the print start key4003.

The controller unit 402 executes the control examples as shown in FIGS.39A to 41D. Note that a computer-readable program for executing thecontrol examples as shown in FIGS. 39A to 41D by the controller unit 402is also stored in advance in the memory 405 as a control programassociated with the sorting operation.

As described above, the controller unit 402 controls to execute thefirst type printing operation of successively printing a plurality ofindependent document data to be stored in the HD of the printing systemas separate document data without merging them into one document data.In other words, the job to be processed which is accepted by thecontroller unit 402 in accordance with input of a printing executionrequest is a “job requiring successive printing of a plurality ofdocuments, but not requiring document merge”.

In addition, the controller unit 402 controls to execute the second typeprinting operation of merging, into one document data, a plurality ofindependent document data to be stored in the HD of the printing system,and printing the merged document data. In other words, the job to beprocessed which is accepted by the controller unit 402 in accordancewith input of a printing execution request is a “job requiringsuccessive printing of a plurality of documents, and requiring documentmerge”.

On the premise of the above configuration, the controller unit 402controls to execute a classification process every printed materials ofone copy in processing a “job requiring successive printing of aplurality of documents, but not requiring document merge”. This processcorresponds to the control example shown in FIG. 41A.

The controller unit 402 controls to execute a classification processevery printed materials of one copy in processing a “job requiringsuccessive printing of a plurality of documents and requiring documentmerge”. This process corresponds to the control example shown in FIG.41B.

Also, the controller unit 402 controls to execute a classificationprocess every printed materials in consideration of a post-processnecessary after a printing process for a job in processing a “jobrequiring successive printing of a plurality of documents, but notrequiring document merge”. This process corresponds to the controlexample shown in FIG. 41C.

Further, the controller unit 402 controls to execute a classificationprocess every printed materials in consideration of a post-processnecessary after a printing process for a job in processing a “jobrequiring successive printing of a plurality of documents and requiringdocument merge”. This process corresponds to the control example shownin FIG. 41D.

As is apparent from a comparison between the stacking results of sheetbundles in FIGS. 41A to 41D on the delivery tray 722, the controllerunit 402 controls the printing system to obtain different stackingresults as the stacking forms of the sheet bundles 4100A to 4100D.

In other words, the controller unit 402 performs the first confirmationfor determining whether the job requires document merge even in a casewhere the same document is successively printed. The controller unit 402performs the second confirmation for determining whether the jobrequires execution of a printed material classification process everyprinted materials in consideration of a post-process necessary after aprinting process. After that, the controller unit 402 controls to changethe stacking result of printed materials on the delivery tray 722 on thebasis of the results of the first and second confirmations even in acase where the same documents are successively printed.

For example, there are two jobs which are to be processed andsuccessively printed. Both of the jobs are “jobs requiring a printedmaterial classification process every printed materials of one copy”.The jobs target the same document to be printed. Even in this case, thefirst job requires the first type printing operation, and the second jobrequires the second type printing operation. The controller unit 402controls the printing system including the printing apparatus 101 tostack printed materials of the second job on the delivery tray 722 in astacking form different from that of printed materials of the first jobon the delivery tray 722. Although the jobs have common processconditions, the controller unit 402 stacks printed materials of the jobillustrated in FIG. 41B on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking formdifferent from the stacking result of the sheet bundle 4100A in FIG. 41Aon the basis of whether to merge documents. Resultantly, the stackingresult as represented by the sheet bundle 4100B in FIG. 41B is obtainedas a stacking result different from that illustrated in FIG. 41A. Thecontrol for different stacking results is apparent from thisconfiguration.

For example, there are two jobs which are to be processed andsuccessively printed. Both of the jobs are “jobs requiring a printedmaterial classification process every printed materials in considerationof a post-process (post-step) after a printing process”. The jobs targetthe same document to be printed. Even in this case, the first jobrequires the first type printing operation, and the second job requiresthe second type printing operation. The controller unit 402 controls theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 to stack printedmaterials of the second job on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking formdifferent from that of printed materials of the first job on thedelivery tray 722. Although the jobs have common process conditions, thecontroller unit 402 stacks printed materials of the job illustrated inFIG. 41D on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking form different from thestacking result of the sheet bundle 4100C in FIG. 41C on the basis ofwhether to merge documents. The stacking result as represented by thesheet bundle 4100D in FIG. 41D is obtained as a stacking resultdifferent from that illustrated in FIG. 41C. The control for differentstacking results is apparent from this configuration.

For example, there are two jobs which are to be processed andsuccessively printed. Both of the jobs are “jobs not requiring documentmerge”. The jobs target the same document to be printed. Even in thiscase, the first job is a “job which inhibits a printed materialclassification process every printed materials in consideration of apost-process (post-step) after a printing process”. The second job is a“job which requires a printed material classification process everyprinted materials in consideration of a post-process (post-step) after aprinting process”. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 to stack printedmaterials of the second job on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking formdifferent from that of printed materials of the first job on thedelivery tray 722. Although the jobs have common process conditions, thecontroller unit 402 stacks printed materials of the job illustrated inFIG. 41C on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking form different from thestacking result of the sheet bundle 4100A in FIG. 41A on the basis ofwhether the operator inputs instruction information in consideration ofthe post-process. The stacking result as represented by the sheet bundle4100C in FIG. 41C is obtained as a stacking result different from thatillustrated in FIG. 41A. The control for different stacking results isapparent from this configuration.

For example, there are two jobs which are to be processed andsuccessively printed. Both of the jobs are “jobs requiring documentmerge”. The jobs target the same document to be printed. Even in thiscase, the first job is a “job which inhibits a printed materialclassification process every printed materials in consideration of apost-process (post-step) after a printing process”. The second job is a“job which requires a printed material classification process everyprinted materials in consideration of a post-process (post-step) after aprinting process”. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system including the printing apparatus 101 to stack printedmaterials of the second job on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking formdifferent from that of printed materials of the first job on thedelivery tray 722. Although the jobs have common process conditions, thecontroller unit 402 stacks printed materials of the job illustrated inFIG. 41D on the delivery tray 722 in a stacking form different from thestacking result of the sheet bundle 4100B in FIG. 41B on the basis ofwhether the operator inputs instruction information in consideration ofthe post-process. The stacking result as represented by the sheet bundle4100D in FIG. 41D is obtained as a stacking result different from thatillustrated in FIG. 41B. The control for different stacking results isapparent from this configuration.

In this manner, according to the third embodiment, the controller unit402 determines whether a job to be successively printed exists. Thisdetermination corresponds to whether a plurality of documents areselected by the operator from the list 3901 displayed on the operationunit 404. The controller unit 402 also determines whether the job to besuccessively printed requires document merge. This determinationcorresponds to whether a document merge instruction for a plurality ofdocuments selected from the list 3901 is input by the operator with thedocument merge key 4004 displayed on the operation unit 404. Thecontroller unit 402 determines whether the job requires the printedmaterial classification process in correspondence with a post-process.This determination corresponds to whether instruction informationcorresponding to one of the first type instruction information to thirdtype instruction information is explicitly input by the operator via thedisplays in FIGS. 11 to 13. Based on the three determination results,the controller unit 402 determines the stacking form of printedmaterials of a job to be processed on the delivery tray 722. Thecontroller unit 402 controls the printing system to classify printedmaterials of the job to be processed in the determined stacking form.Note that all the three determinations may not be made. For example, thecontroller unit 402 may execute control on the classification operationfor printed materials to be processed on the basis of one or two of thethree determinations.

As described above, document data of a job to be processed with the boxfunction illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 41D in the third embodiment is heldin the hard disk of the memory 405 of the printing apparatus 101. In thethird embodiment, the controller unit 402 controls to hold printdocument data to be processed with the box function in the HD of thememory 405 unless the operator explicitly inputs an instruction with,e.g., the “erase key” of a window 3900B in FIG. 39B. With thisconfiguration, document data can be repetitively printed every time theoperator inputs a printing execution request with the print start key4003 illustrated in FIG. 40A or the like. The printing system comprisesthis re-print function.

The above configuration considers user merits, and need not alwayscomprise all the building elements. The present invention can be appliedto, e.g., a configuration which can perform the successive printingoperation but does not have any document merge function, or aconfiguration which can perform the successive printing operation butdoes not have any document non-merge function. However, theconfiguration can execute at least the classification process inconsideration of a post-process. The configuration is arbitrary as faras at least some of various effects described in the third embodimentcan be achieved. This applies to all the embodiments in thisspecification.

With the above building elements as illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 41D, theeffects described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 38 and the like can befurther improved. In particular, the effect capable of flexibly meetingvarious use cases and user needs which may occur in a printingenvironment such as the POD environment can be further enhanced with thebuilding elements as illustrated in FIGS. 39A to 41D.

In a printing environment such as the POD environment, the operatorengaged at the site in the POD environment coordinates the schedule inadvance in order to meet various printing order requests from variouscustomers by quick delivery within short periods. According to theschedule, the operator inputs, stores, and holds many jobs in thestorage unit of a printing apparatus at the work site concentratedly atthe same time. The operator instructs the printing apparatus from itsoperation unit in accordance with the schedule to concentratedly printat once the documents of many jobs stored in advance in the internalmemory of the printing apparatus. This case is assumed at the work sitein a printing environment such as the POD environment. On this ground,the third embodiment pays attention to needs to, when a plurality ofprocesses to be performed at once exist, process them at once inconsideration of working efficiency in a printing environment such asthe POD environment. On the same ground, the third embodiment paysattention to needs to shorten the down time by intermittently operatingthe printing apparatus (without stopping the printer engine as much aspossible) in a printing environment such as the POD environment.

As described above, at the printing work site, the schedule iscoordinated in advance, the print order is determined in accordance withthe schedule, and many documents of many jobs are held in the memory ofthe printing apparatus. Even in this case, the schedule may becoordinated again suddenly to change the printing process order of manydocuments input in advance. On this ground, the third embodiment assumesa situation in which the process order of many jobs must be changedhurriedly if the customer makes an urgent printing order request orre-printing request (additional printing request) with high priority ina printing environment such as the POD environment.

If such a situation occurs, many jobs must be processed in an orderdifferent from the original one, and post-processes necessary after aprinting process and the contents of intervention work by the operatorchange entirely. If control as described in the third embodiment cannotbe executed in this situation, the effect of increasing the efficienciesof post-processes and intervention work by the operator which arenecessary after a printing process by the printing apparatus 101 in thethird embodiment may be influenced.

To prevent this problem, the third embodiment can provide the userinterface environment described with reference to FIGS. 39A to 40C andthe like to the operator via the operation unit 404 of the printingapparatus 101. Thus, even if the above-mentioned situation occurs, itcan be flexibly dealt with in real time. By executing control asillustrated in FIGS. 39A to 41D in the third embodiment, the abovesituation can be coped with out minimizing the influence on variouseffects described above in the third embodiment. The third embodimentcan expect this effect.

The third embodiment finds out use cases and user needs unique to aprinting environment such as the POD environment that are not expectedin the office environment, and provides the mechanism capable of dealingwith these use cases and user needs. The third embodiment may comprisethe following configuration for further enhancing this operation effect.

For example, a case is assumed where many documents of many jobs areconcentratedly printed in a printing environment such as the PODenvironment, as described above. In order to cope with this case, theprinting system is equipped with, e.g., a large-capacity stackerillustrated in FIG. 44A.

The large-capacity stacker can stack, e.g., a maximum of 5,000 printedmaterials of jobs printed by the printer unit 403. The large-capacitystacker can be directly connected to the main body of the printingapparatus 101 instead of the sheet processing apparatus 720, and canreceive sheets from the printer unit 403 without the mediacy ofintervention work by the operator. The large-capacity stackerincorporates various sensors, and the CPU of the large-capacity stackernotifies the controller unit 402 via a signal line in the apparatus ofvarious types of status information (e.g., the sheet status) in thelarge-capacity stacker. That is, the large-capacity stacker correspondsto an in-line type post-processing apparatus defined in the thirdembodiment.

The large-capacity stacker has an internal configuration as illustratedin FIG. 44B. A material printed by the printer unit 403 is introducedinto the sheet convey path in the large-capacity stacker via the conveyrollers (discharge rollers 717 in FIG. 7) in the main body of theprinting apparatus 101 and a point A in FIG. 44A. As illustrated in FIG.44B, the large-capacity stacker incorporates a stack tray. Thelarge-capacity stacker comprises, at a point B in FIG. 44B, a shiftdelivery unit (not shown) capable of executing a shift operation andbundle delivery operation for printed materials of a job to be stackedon the stack tray in FIG. 44B. The same function as the shift deliveryfunction illustrated in FIG. 34 can also be implemented by the stacktray in the large-capacity stacker.

For example, when printed materials are stacked on the stack tray in thelarge-capacity stacker, the controller unit 402 controls thelarge-capacity stacker to introduce a material printed by the printerunit 403 into the sheet convey path toward the stack tray in FIG. 44Bvia the point A in FIG. 44B. Then, the controller unit 402 causes theshift delivery unit disposed at the point B in FIG. 44B to execute bothof the shift delivery operation and bundle delivery operation or onlythe bundle delivery operation for the printed materials. Accordingly,the printed materials of the job to be processed are stacked on thestack tray in FIG. 44B.

Printed materials are stacked on the stack tray in FIG. 44B with theiredges being aligned at the first or second alignment reference position,similar to FIG. 34. The large-capacity stacker comprises expandablestays as illustrated in FIG. 44B so that the tray can move down inaccordance with the stacking amount of printed materials when theprinted materials are stacked on the stack tray in FIG. 44B. Printedmaterials stacked on the stack tray in the large-capacity stacker can betaken out by opening the front door by the operator, as shown in theschematic view of the outer appearance of the housing in FIG. 44A. Theprinted materials can also be conveyed on a truck in FIG. 44B.

As described above, in the printing system in the third embodiment, thelarge-capacity stacker as illustrated in FIGS. 44A and 44B can beconnected to the printing apparatus 101 as a mechanism capable ofdealing with printing of many jobs which may concentrate at the sametime in a printing environment such as the POD environment.

As described above, printing of many jobs concentrated at the same timemay be requested of the operator at the site in a printing environmentsuch as the POD environment. In this situation, assume that a factor tointerrupt the printing operation by the printing system occurs duringexecution of the printing operation by the printing apparatus 101.

In this case, the controller unit 402 controls to interrupt the currentprinting operation of the job to be processed by the printing apparatus101 in response to generation of the printing interrupt factor of thejob. The controller unit 402 controls to automatically resume the seriesof printing operations for the job in response to cancellation of theprinting interrupt factor of the job. In order to recover a job duringinterruption of printing, the controller unit 402 holds print data ofthe interrupted job in the internal HD of the memory 405. By using theprint data of the job that is held in the memory 405, the controllerunit 402 controls to continue the series of printing operations for thejob from interrupted data after the printing interrupt factor of the jobis canceled. The series of printing operations described here contains aprinting process for an interrupted job by the printer unit 403, and astacking operation for printed materials of the interrupted job on thestacking unit. That is, the printed material classification process forthe interrupted job is also contained in the series of printingoperations. The printing interrupt factor corresponds to, e.g., one ofthe following factors.

(Factor 1) A paper absence error for a print medium necessary for a jobto be printed.

(Factor 2) A trouble in the scanner unit 401 such as a document jam orscan error in a job to be printed.

(Factor 3) A memory-full error in the hard disk of the memory 405.

(Factor 4) An explicit printing interrupt instruction by the operatorfor a job to be input via the operation unit 404.

As described above, the controller unit 402 controls the printing systemso that a series of printing operations for a job for which the printingoperation is interrupted by generation of a printing interrupt factorcan automatically continue in response to cancellation of the printinginterrupt factor of the job.

If the printing operation simply resumes after the printing interruptfactor is canceled, the effects described in the third embodiment maynot be satisfactorily obtained. Thus, the third embodiment can provide amechanism capable of preventing even such a problem.

For example, the job during interruption of printing requires a printedmaterial classification process every printed materials in considerationof a post-process by a non-in-line type post-processing apparatus. Thatis, the job requires stacking of printed materials by a sorting methodin at least one of the third to fifth modes. In this case, attentionmust be paid especially when printing resumes upon cancellation of aprinting interrupt factor. In other words, if the printing operationresumes by the same recovery method as that for a job requiring theoperation in the first or second mode, the working efficiency of theoperator may be influenced or a trouble occurs.

As described above, printed materials of a job which requires theprinted material classification process every printed materials inconsideration of a post-process by a non-in-line type post-processingunit cannot be stacked on the stacking unit by sequentially switchingthe stacking position every printed bundle of one copy. This jobrequires a classification process every printed materials complying withinstruction information in consideration of the post-process for thejob. For this job, a stacking form complying with the instructioninformation which is explicitly input by the operator in considerationof the post-process should be maintained even after printing resumes.

For example, a job during interruption of printing is one for which theoperator inputs instruction information in consideration of apost-process. However, the sorting mode before generation of a printinginterrupt factor is ignored, and an operation to shift printed materialsevery copy may function as a printing resume operation of the job afterthe printing interrupt factor of the job is canceled. In this case, astacking result which considers the post-process for the job, as shownin FIGS. 29, 30, 31, 36, 41C, and 41D, cannot be obtained as the finalstacking result on the stacking unit of the printing system. Althoughthe job is kept unchanged, the stacking form of printed materials of thejob that have already been stacked on the stacking unit of the systembefore generation of a printing interrupt factor and that of printedmaterials of the job that are to be stacked on the stacking unit of thesystem after the printing interrupt factor is canceled and printingresumes may become different from each other.

If such a situation occurs, the operator who visually checks printedmaterials output after printing resumes may misunderstand that theprinted materials of the job are different from those of a job that havealready been output before printing resumes. Owing to thismisunderstanding, the operator may do an erroneous operation. Even ifthis problem does not occur, other problems may occur: for example, theoperator issues a printing request in demand for a classificationprocess in consideration of a post-process, but the work load of theoperator does not decrease after all. For example, the followingintervention work may be requested of the operator. As described in thefirst embodiment, the operator arranges printed bundles shifted fromeach other, then manually counts the number of printed bundles inconsideration of the non-in-line type post-processing unit, and manuallysorts the printed bundles in accordance with the post-process.

If a trouble as described above occurs during the successive printingoperation of many documents concentrated at the same time at the worksite in the POD environment, the trouble may lead to a serious trouble.

For example, many other jobs wait for a printing operation in additionto the current job after printing resumes, and the operator plans totake out printed materials from the large-capacity stacker in FIGS. 44Aand 44B after all the jobs are processed.

In this situation, printed materials of another subsequent job aredelivered and stacked on printed materials of the job in trouble forwhich the stacking form is not maintained between printed materialsstacked before printing interrupts and those stacked after printingresumes. Subsequently, many jobs are sequentially called from theprinting queue, printed, delivered, and stacked. The operator may notdetermine which job corresponds to printed materials. If this problemoccurs, it may influence not only working efficiency but alsoproductivity. In this way, the trouble may become fatal in a printingenvironment such as the POD environment where productivity is important.

The third embodiment pays attention to potential problems which mayoccur in a printing environment such as the POD environment, and theprinting system can provide a mechanism capable of solving theseproblems. In other words, the third embodiment finds out and can satisfypotential needs which may arise as requests unique to a printingenvironment such as the POD environment. For example, the controllerunit 402 executes the following control operations.

In the third embodiment, the controller unit 402 holds managementinformation of a job to be processed in the HD OF the memory 405 so asto complete the process by the system in a stacking form requested bythe job. The management information is held until the process of the jobis completed by the printing system. For example, when all printedmaterials of a job to be processed are stacked on the stacking unit(e.g., the delivery tray 722 or the stack tray in the large-capacitystacker in FIGS. 44A and 44B) of the system, the controller unit 402permits erase of the management information from the HD. As an exampleof the management information, the third embodiment adopts managementinformation 4200A shown in FIG. 42A. The management information is heldin the table form in the HD in the example of FIG. 42A, but may bemanaged in another form. The management information 4200A is generatedand managed for each job to be processed.

For a job for which execution of printing is requested, the managementinformation 4200A contains various types of management information ininformation items 4201A to 4217A, as shown in FIG. 42A. Note that thecontents of (information 1) to (information 17) in the respective itemsare described in FIG. 42A, and an explanation thereof will be omitted.These pieces of information of the items are generated by the controllerunit 402 on the basis of, e.g., various printing process condition dataset by the operator for a job to be processed, and information unique toprint data to be printed in the job. These pieces of information of theitems can be properly read out from the HD and referred to. These piecesof information are treated as information recognizable by the controllerunit 402. For example, on the basis of information of the managementinformation 4200A, the controller unit 402 can execute a series ofprinting operations for a job in correspondence with the managementinformation in the printing system. In addition, information based onthe management information 4200A can be displayed on the display unit605.

On the premise of this configuration, how to use the managementinformation will be concretely explained. For example, a printingexecution request for a given job is accepted from the operator via thestart key 606 of the operation unit 404. This job will be referred to asjob X. In response to the printing execution request, the controllerunit 402 causes the printing system to start a series of printingoperations for job X. In this situation, for example, the controllerunit 402 generates management information 4200B in FIG. 42B as themanagement information of job X, and stores the management information4200B in the HD.

At present, job X is being printed by the printer unit 403. Thecontroller unit 402 sets, in an item 4216B, information representingthat job X is being printed. For job X, the total number of pages is 4,the total print count set by the operator is 4. For job X, the operatordesignates a sorting operation (classification operation), anddesignates execution of the first mode as a sorting condition. In otherwords, when all printed bundles of job X are stacked on the stackingunit, the total number of classifications of the printed materials is4÷1=4 classifications. The controller unit 402 sets various types ofattribute information including these pieces of information for job X initems 4201B to 4215B, respectively. All pieces of information in itemswhich are not particularly described are the same as those in FIG. 42B,and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, job X is being printed now, and the controller unit402 sets even the progress representing how much printing is completed,in an item 4217B as information contained in the management information4200B. In the example of FIG. 42B, sheets up to the second sheet of thesecond copy of job X have been printed as progress information (processstatus) of job X, and information “sheets up to the second sheet of thesecond copy have been printed” is stored by the controller unit 402 inthe item 4217B as information capable of specifying the progress of jobX. As an expression rephrasing the progress of job X, the controllerunit 402 also stores, in the item 4217B, information expressing “sheetsup to the second sheet of the second classification have been printed”.

[Information of job X during printing (before printing interrupts)]shown in FIG. 42B has been explained.

If a printing interrupt factor of job X occurs during printing, thecontroller unit 402 controls the printing apparatus 101 to interrupt theprinting operation of job X. The controller unit 402 controls the HD toupdate the management information 4200B of job X so as to reflect thisstate in the management information 4200B of job X. This example isshown in [information of job X during interruption of printing]described in the lower table in FIG. 42B. For example, the job status ofjob X is “during interruption of printing” at present, and thisinformation is reflected in the item 4216B. In this example, sheets upto the second sheet of the third copy of job X have been printedimmediately before interruption of printing. The controller unit 402also reflects this progress in the item 4217B. As an expressionrephrasing this information, information “sheets up to the second sheetof the third classification have been printed” is also reflected in theitem 4217B. The actual status of the stacking unit upon interruption ofprinting of job X is shown in the upper half of FIG. 43A. Note that theprinting interrupt factor of job X is one of (factor 1) to (factor 4)described above.

Thereafter, the printing interrupt factor of job X is canceled throughintervention work by the operator. The intervention work by the operatoris at least one of the following work operations.

(Work 1) Replenishment of print media necessary for a job to be printed.

(Work 2) Cancellation of an error in the scanner unit 401, includingremoval of a document jam in the scanner unit 401.

(Work 3) Reserve of a free space of the memory by erasing data from thehard disk of the memory 405.

(Work 4) An explicit printing resume instruction input by the operatorvia the operation unit 404 for a job.

A unit concerned notifies the controller unit 402 that the printinginterrupt factor of job X to be printed has been canceled by theabove-mentioned intervention work by the operator. In response tocancellation of the printing interrupt factor of job X, the controllerunit 402 controls to resume a series of printing operations for the jobfrom a print page at which printing is interrupted. As the printingresume operation for job X, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system to execute an operation based on information set in themanagement information 4200B described in the lower table of FIG. 42B.The controller unit 402 executes the following steps sequentially inorder as a resume operation (recovery operation) for a series ofprinting operations for job X.

[Step 1] Printing is executed on the third print medium of the thirdcopy of job X and the fourth print medium of the third copy of job X.Without executing any shift operation, these two print media aredelivered onto the second printed material of the third copy of job Xthat has been processed immediately before interruption. As a result,one bundle of the third copy has been printed.

[Step 2] Printing is executed on the first to fourth print media of thefourth copy of job X. The shift operation is executed to stack the fourprint media on the fourth printed material of the third copy of job Xwith a shift from the fourth print medium of the third copy. After thata bundle of the four print media is delivered. Accordingly, one bundleof the fourth copy has been printed.

All processes which must be executed after cancellation of the printinginterrupt factor of job X requiring the classification process everyprinted bundle of one copy are completed. That is, the controller unit402 can stack printed materials of job X after interruption of printingin a stacking form consistent with that of printed materials of job Xbefore interruption of printing, as represented by the stacking resultof job X shown in the lower half of FIG. 43A.

Similar to the control example illustrated in FIGS. 42B and 43A, a jobduring interruption of printing is one for which the operator does notinput any of the first type instruction information to third typeinstruction information. In addition, the job during interruption ofprinting requires a classification process every printed bundle of onecopy. In this case, the controller unit 402 controls to continue theprinting operation for the job after the printing interrupt factor ofthe job is canceled. When printing of the job resumes, the controllerunit 402 controls to stack printed materials on the stacking unit whilemaintaining a stacking form complying with the instruction of the job.In this example, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system toexecute the shift delivery operation every time printing of one copy iscompleted, so as to maintain the same stacking method as that of printedmaterials of job X to be processed before interruption of printing. Morespecifically, the controller unit 402 controls to maintain the stackingform “shift printed materials every copy” in accordance with the sortingcondition of job X even if a series of situations “generation of aprinting interrupt factor→interruption of printing→cancellation of theprinting interrupt factor→resume of printing” occurs in job X.

In this manner, after the printing interrupt factor is canceled, thecontroller unit 402 can continue the stacking operation of printedmaterials of a job for which the printing operation is interrupted bygeneration of the printing interrupt factor. The controller unit 402confirms, on the basis of information in the item 4214B of themanagement information 4200B illustrated in FIG. 42B, that the jobduring interruption of printing is one for which the above-describedinstruction information is not input. When the printing interrupt factoris canceled, the controller unit 402 confirms pieces of information inthe items 4214B, 4215B, and 4217B of the management information 4200Billustrated in the lower table of FIG. 42B. Based on these pieces ofconfirmation information, the controller unit 402 controls the printingsystem to continue the stacking operation of printed materials of thejob after cancellation of the printing interrupt factor whilemaintaining the stacking form of printed materials of the job that havealready been stacked on the stacking unit before the printing interruptfactor occurs.

As described above, the controller unit 402 confirms that the job duringinterruption of printing is one for which the operator does notexplicitly input instruction information in consideration of apost-process. Even for this job, the controller unit 402 controls theprinting system to continue the stacking operation of printed materialsof the job after cancellation of the printing interrupt factor whilemaintaining the stacking form of printed materials of the job that havealready been stacked on the stacking unit before the printing interruptfactor occurs.

On the premise of the above configuration, the third embodiment furthercomprises the following configuration.

For example, job X illustrated in FIGS. 42B and 43A requires the printedmaterial classification process every printed materials of one copy. Inthis example, the “shift delivery operation” is described as an exampleof the classification process. Even for another job, the controller unit402 controls to obtain the same effect.

For example, the job during interruption of printing is not one forwhich none of the first type instruction information to third typeinstruction information is input, like job X. That is, the job duringinterruption of printing is one for which the operator explicitly inputsinstruction information corresponding to one of the first typeinstruction information to third type instruction information. In otherwords, the job during interruption of printing requires a printedmaterial classification process in a unit in consideration of apost-process necessary after a printing process by the printingapparatus 101. In this example, even for this job, the controller unit402 controls to continue the stacking operation of printed materials ofthe job after cancellation of the printing interrupt factor whilemaintaining the stacking form of printed materials of the job that havealready been stacked on the stacking unit before the printing interruptfactor occurs. An example of this control will be described withreference to FIGS. 42C and 43B.

In this example, a job to be managed with management information 4200Cin FIG. 42C will be referred to as job Y hereinafter. For example, aprinting execution request for job Y is accepted from the operator viathe start key 606 of the operation unit 404. In response to the printingexecution request, the controller unit 402 causes the printing system tostart a series of printing operations for job Y. At this time, thecontroller unit 402 generates the management information 4200C in FIG.42C as management information of job Y, and stores the managementinformation 4200C in the HD.

Items 4202C to 4213C in the management information 4200C of job Y arethe same as the contents of job X which is controlled by the controllerunit 402 on the basis of the management information 4200B in FIG. 42B.However, an item 4214C of job Y has contents different from those ofmanagement information in the item 4214B of job X. More specifically,for job X, the operator explicitly inputs a first mode executioninstruction as the sorting condition. To the contrary, for job Y, theoperator explicitly inputs a fifth mode execution instruction as thesorting condition. In other words, job Y is a “job for which theoperator explicitly inputs the first type instruction information viathe UI unit”. More specifically, job Y is a “job which requires theshift delivery operation at a designated copy count of two copies”. Thecontroller unit 402 manages the total number of classifications of job Yas “4 copies÷2 copies=2 classifications”. The controller unit 402writes, in the item 4214C and an item 4215C, pieces of informationcorresponding to pieces of management information of items for job Y.

At present, job Y which is managed by the controller unit 402 on thebasis of the management information 4200C containing various types ofinformation described above is being printed by the printer unit 403.The controller unit 402 sets, in an item 4216C as status information ofjob Y, information representing that job Y is being printed. As thecurrent progress of job Y, sheets up to the second sheet of the secondcopy have been printed. That is, the progress of job Y is the same asthat illustrated for job X. The controller unit 402 stores, in an item4217C, information representing that “sheets up to the second sheet ofthe second copy have been printed” as information representing theprogress of job Y during printing. Job Y requires execution of the shiftdelivery operation every printed materials of two copies. In otherwords, job Y requires stacking of printed materials every printedmaterials of two copies. This means that the stacking form (stackingmethod) of printed materials of job Y is different from that of job X.For example, the total number of document pages of job Y is four, andjob Y requires four copies in total. For job Y, printed bundles must bestacked on the stacking unit while being classified every two copies.The number of printed sheets of printed bundles of one classification is“4 sheets (one set)×2 copies=8 sheets”. As an expression rephrasing theprogress of job Y, the controller unit 402 stores, in the item 4217B,information expressing “sheets up to the sixth sheet of the firstclassification have been printed”.

[Information of job Y during printing (before printing interrupts)]shown in FIG. 42C has been explained. By utilizing the managementinformation 4200C, the controller unit 402 can implement controlillustrated in FIG. 43B. Note that pieces of information in theremaining management items are described in FIG. 42C, and an explanationthereof will be omitted.

If the printing interrupt factor of job Y occurs during printing, asdescribed above, the controller unit 402 controls the printing apparatus101 to interrupt the printing operation of job Y. The controller unit402 controls the HD to update the management information 4200C of job Yso as to reflect this state in the management information 4200C of jobY. This example is shown in [information of job Y during interruption ofprinting] described in the lower table in FIG. 42C. For example, the jobstatus of job Y is “during interruption of printing” at present, andthis information is reflected in the item 4216C. In this example, sheetsup to the second sheet of the third copy of job Y have been printedimmediately before interruption of printing. The controller unit 402also reflects this progress in the item 4217C. The controller unit 402further updates the information rephrasing the status of the processimmediately before interruption of job Y by an expression based on theclassification of printed materials. When the progress of job Yimmediately before interruption of printing is expressed by the numberof copies, “sheets up to the second sheet of the third copy have beenprinted”. As described above, for job Y, the number of printed sheets ofprinted bundles of one classification is “4 pages×2 copies=8 sheets”.When the progress of job Y immediately before interruption of printingis expressed by the classification, “sheets up to the second sheet ofthe second classification have been printed”. Thus, the controller unit402 stores, in the item 4217C, information expressing “sheets up to thesecond sheet of the second classification have been printed” as theexpression rephrasing the progress of job Y.

In this fashion, job X and job Y are different in only the sortingmethod, and have the same remaining process conditions. In addition, jobX and job Y are identical in the progress and the timing when printinginterrupts. However, as represented by the item 4217C, the controllerunit 402 manages information of job Y with management contentsdiscriminated from those of the item 4217B of job X. That is, job X is a“job which does not require any classification process in considerationof a post-process”. Job Y is a “job which requires a classificationprocess in consideration of a post-process”. The controller unit 402controls to generate and manage pieces of information on the progressesof these jobs with management forms which can be discriminated betweenthe jobs.

The actual status of the stacking unit (e.g., the delivery tray 722 orthe stack tray of the large-capacity stacker in FIG. 44B) uponinterruption of printing of job Y is shown in the upper half of FIG.43B. Note that the printing interrupt factor of job Y is also one of(factor 1) to (factor 4) described above.

As shown in the upper half of FIG. 43B, the controller unit 402 causesthe printing system including the printing apparatus 101 to execute thefollowing operations as a series of printing operations for job Y.

[Step 1] Printed materials of the first to fourth pages of job Y arestacked as one set on the stacking unit. The controller unit 402 causesthe printer unit 403 to print materials of the second set of job Y. Atthis time, it is inhibited to stack printed materials with a shift. Thatis, printed media of four sheets of the first set and a printed bundleof four sheets of the second set are delivered onto the stacking unit asa printed bundle belonging to the first classification. As a result, thefirst classification of job Y that is made up of a total of eightprinted materials of printed bundles of the first and second sets isprinted and stacked.

[Step 2] Printing of the first sheet of the third copy of job Y, i.e.,the first sheet of the second classification of job Y, and printing ofthe second sheet of the third copy of job Y, i.e., the second sheet ofthe second classification of job Y are executed. At this timing,however, the printing interrupt factor of job Y occurs in the printingsystem. Thus, at this timing, the controller unit 402 forcibly stacksthese two print media on the printed bundle of the first classificationof job Y.

The above steps are performed immediately before printing of job Yinterrupts. The stacking status of printed materials of the job on thestacking unit in the printing system is shown in the upper half of FIG.43B.

After that, the printing interrupt factor of job Y is canceled throughintervention work by the operator. The intervention work by the operatoris one of (work 1) to (work 4) described above.

A unit concerned notifies the controller unit 402 that the printinginterrupt factor of job Y to be printed has been canceled by theabove-mentioned intervention work by the operator. In response tocancellation of the printing interrupt factor of job Y, the controllerunit 402 controls to resume a series of printing operations for job Yfrom a print page at which printing interrupted. As the printing resumeoperation for job Y, the controller unit 402 controls the printingsystem to execute an operation based on information set in themanagement information 4200C described in the lower table of FIG. 42C.The controller unit 402 executes the following steps sequentially inorder as a resume operation (recovery operation) for a series ofprinting operations for job Y.

[Step 1] Printing is executed on the third print medium of the thirdcopy of job Y and the fourth print medium of the third copy of job Y,completing printing of the third set. The controller unit 402 inhibitsthe bundle delivery operation on the stacking unit. That is, the bundledelivery operation on the stacking unit waits until printing on thefirst to fourth sheets of the fourth copy of job Y is completed. Thecontroller unit 402 executes printing on all the first to fourth printmedia of the fourth copy of job Y. Then, the controller unit 402delivers, as a set of printed materials belonging to a printed bundle ofone classification, a total of six print media including two, third andfourth print media belonging to a printed bundle of the third copy ofjob Y and four, first to fourth print media belonging to a printedbundle of the fourth copy of job Y. This process will be explained onthe basis of the classification. Without executing any shift operation,the controller unit 402 delivers “the third to eighth printed materialsof the second classification of job Y” which are printed by the printerunit 403 after printing resumes, onto “the second printed material ofthe second classification of job Y” which has already been stacked onthe stacking unit immediately before printing interrupts. Resultantly,printed materials of the same classification of job Y can be stacked inthe same stacking form even after interrupted printing resumes.

All processes which must be executed after cancellation of the printinginterrupt factor of job Y requiring the classification process everyprinted bundle of two copies corresponding to a designated copy countare completed.

That is, the controller unit 402 can stack printed materials of job Yafter interruption of printing in a stacking form consistent with thatof printed materials of job Y before interruption of printing, asrepresented by the stacking result of job Y shown in the lower half ofFIG. 43B.

Similar to the control example illustrated in FIGS. 42C and 43B, a jobduring interruption of printing is one for which the operator inputs oneof the first type instruction information to third type instructioninformation. Even in this case, the controller unit 402 controls tocontinue the printing operation for the job after the printing interruptfactor of the job is canceled. When printing of the job resumes, thecontroller unit 402 controls to stack printed materials on the stackingunit while maintaining a stacking form complying with the instruction ofthe job. In this example, the controller unit 402 controls the printingsystem to execute the shift delivery operation every time printing oftwo copies is completed, so as to maintain the same stacking method asthat of printed materials of job Y to be processed before interruptionof printing. More specifically, the controller unit 402 controls tomaintain the stacking form “shift printed materials every two copies” inaccordance with the sorting condition of job Y even if a series ofsituations “generation of a printing interrupt factor→interruption ofprinting→cancellation of the printing interrupt factor→resume ofprinting” occurs in job Y.

In the above way, after the printing interrupt factor is canceled, thecontroller unit 402 can continue the stacking operation of printedmaterials of a job for which the printing operation is interrupted bygeneration of the printing interrupt factor. The controller unit 402confirms, on the basis of information in the item 4214C of themanagement information 4200C illustrated in FIG. 42C, that the jobduring interruption of printing is one for which the above-describedinstruction information is input. When the printing interrupt factor iscanceled, the controller unit 402 confirms pieces of information in theitems 4214C, 4215C, and 4217C of the management information 4200Cillustrated in the lower table of FIG. 42C. Based on these pieces ofconfirmation information, the controller unit 402 controls the printingsystem to continue the stacking operation of printed materials of thejob after cancellation of the printing interrupt factor whilemaintaining the stacking form of printed materials of the job that havealready been stacked on the stacking unit before the printing interruptfactor occurs. As a result, the stacking result as shown in the lowerhalf of FIG. 43B can be obtained on the stacking unit of the system.

As described above, the controller unit 402 confirms that the job duringinterruption of printing is one for which the operator explicitly inputsinstruction information in consideration of a post-process. Even forthis job, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system tocontinue the stacking operation of printed materials of the job aftercancellation of the printing interrupt factor while maintaining thestacking form of printed materials of the job that have already beenstacked on the stacking unit before the printing interrupt factoroccurs.

The printing system in the third embodiment can execute the abovecontrol illustrated in FIGS. 42A to 44B. Generation of troubles and thelike pointed out in the description immediately before the descriptionof FIG. 42A can also be prevented. Accordingly, the following effectscan be obtained.

For examples, problems which are found out as new possible ones in thethird embodiment can be coped with by a configuration capable ofresuming printing after cancellation of a printing interrupt factor evenfor a “job which does not require any printed material classificationprocess in consideration of a post-process” and a “job which requiresthe printed material classification process in consideration of apost-process”. For example, this configuration can prevent even aproblem such as “an operator who visually checks printed materialsoutput after printing resumes misunderstands that the printed materialsbelong to a job different from that of printed materials output beforeprinting resumes, and the operator performs an erroneous operation dueto the misunderstanding.”

For example, the configuration can also cope with a problem caused bygeneration of a printing interrupt factor in a “job which requires theprinted material classification process in consideration of apost-process”. For example, this configuration can prevent even aproblem such as “the operator issues a printing request in demand for aclassification process in consideration of a post-process, but the workload of the operator does not decrease after all.” For example, theconfiguration can avoid even a problem such as “the operator manuallycounts the number of printed sheets in consideration of a post-process.The operator manually sorts the printed materials complying with thepost-process. The operator is demanded of such intervention work.” owingto generation of a printing interrupt factor.

Hence, the configuration can avoid a problem such as “if a troubleoccurs during the successive printing operation of many documentsconcentrated at the same time at the work site in the POD environment,the trouble may lead to a serious trouble.”

As described above, possible problems can be dealt with by aconfiguration capable of resuming, after cancellation of a printinginterrupt factor, a “job which does not require any printed materialclassification process in consideration of a post-process” and a “jobwhich requires the printed material classification process inconsideration of a post-process”. These problems can be dealt with outinfluencing the above-described effects which can be obtained by theconfiguration described in the embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to41D.

The third embodiment finds out use cases and user needs which are notexpected in the office environment and are unique to a printingenvironment such as the POD environment, and provides a mechanism whichcan satisfy the use cases and user needs. In order to further enhancethe operation effects, the third embodiment may employ the followingconfiguration.

As described above, the third embodiment contains any configurationcapable of executing a sorting process by at least one of the followingmethods as a “printed material classification process”, as illustratedin FIGS. 34, 37, and 38 and the like.

(Method 1) A shift delivery operation of executing a shift operationevery printed materials of one classification.

(Method 2) A delivery bin switching operation of switching the deliverybin by using a multi-bin sorter every printed materials of oneclassification.

(Method 3) An interleaving sheet insertion operation of inserting aninterleaving sheet every printed materials of one classification.

(Method 4) A sheet feed unit switching operation of switching the sheetfeed unit every printed materials of one classification.

Assume that the printing system can execute both an operationcorresponding to (method 1) and that corresponding to (method 3) in asystem configuration similar to that of the above printing system. Inother words, as described in the third embodiment, the printing systemcomprises a configuration capable of executing the “shift deliveryoperation” in executing the “printed material classification process”.Further, the printing system comprises a configuration capable of alsoexecuting the “interleaving sheet insertion operation” in executing the“printed material classification process”. The printing system comprisesthis system configuration.

The third embodiment finds out that the following problems may arise inthis system configuration.

For example, the printing system can execute both the “shift deliveryoperation” and “interleaving sheet insertion operation”. As describedabove, printed materials of a job to be processed are classified everyprinted materials in consideration of a post-process. As theclassification process in consideration of the post-process, the“interleaving sheet insertion operation” is executed. This means that“an interleaving sheet is inserted every printed materials of oneclassification”. In this configuration, the following problems mayoccur.

For example, in a printing environment such as the POD environment, anin-line type post-processing apparatus such as the large-capacitystacker illustrated in FIG. 44B and the like may be connected to theprinting apparatus 101, and many documents of many jobs may besuccessively printed concentratedly at the same time. In other words,many documents are classified as a result of printing many documents. Inthis situation, many interleaving sheets are inserted in the aboveconfiguration. For example, printed materials of 300 classifications arestacked on the stack tray of the large-capacity stacker as illustratedin FIG. 44B. In this case, the 300 classifications require 299interleaving sheets. In this situation, the following problems mayarise.

[Matter of Concern 1] Work to remove an interleaving sheet insertedbetween printed materials by the operator is necessary before anon-in-line type post-processing apparatus performs a post-process. Inthe above case, to complete the post-process for all printed bundles,the operator must remove interleaving sheets from printed materials 299times. Although the classification process in consideration of thepost-process is executed, it requires many intervention work operationsby the operator after all. It becomes difficult to increase the workingefficiency of the operator because printed materials are stacked on thestacking unit while interleaving sheets are inserted every printedmaterials of one classification, and the operator must remove theinterleaving sheet.

[Matter of Concern 2] To use an interleaving sheet, as described above,an interleaving sheet necessary for the printed material classificationprocess must be prepared in advance in the sheet feed unit of theprinting apparatus. In a printing environment such as the PODenvironment, printed materials are created in business. For this reason,it is important to process a plurality of jobs at high productivity, asdescribed above. In business, it is also important to reduce cost asmuch as possible. In the above configuration, a large amount ofresources, i.e., interleaving sheets originally unnecessary for finalprinted materials must be purchased and prepared. The cost rises becauseinterleaving sheets not used for final printed materials must beprepared.

[Matter of Concern 3] When one job requires many classificationprocesses, many interleaving sheets must be prepared for the job in thesheet feed unit of the printing apparatus before the start of printing.If there are a plurality of jobs to be printed, many interleaving sheetsmust be set in many sheet feed units. In this situation, many sheet feedunits are occupied by interleaving sheets. Even if many print jobs areinput concentratedly at the same time, a sheet feed unit capable ofsetting print media originally necessary for final printed materialscannot be utilized because many sheet feed units are occupied as thosededicated to interleaving sheets. In this case, even if a print job isinput, a paper absence error frequently occurs because a print mediumnecessary for printing does not exist in the sheet feed unit. In otherwords, printing by the printer unit 403 often interrupts. As a result,the time taken to print one job becomes long, and the timing whenprinting of a waiting print job starts greatly delays. This means a highdown time generation rate in the printing system. Sheet feed units areoccupied by interleaving sheets, and the printing process of a job to beprocessed delays, which may influence the total productivity of aplurality of jobs.

The third embodiment finds out the possibility of these problems. As amechanism capable of solving these problems, the third embodimentcomprises, e.g., the following configuration.

For example, in order to flexibly meet various needs from users, theprinting system can execute both the “printed material shift deliveryoperation” corresponding to (method 1) described above, and the“interleaving sheet insertion operation to printed materials”corresponding to (method 3). The controller unit 402 controls theprinting system to selectively execute these two operations inaccordance with an explicit request from the operator.

On the premise of this configuration, the job to be processed is one forwhich the operator explicitly inputs information corresponding to one ofthe first type instruction information to third type instructioninformation, as described above. In this case, as described above, thecontroller unit 402 controls the printing system to classify printedmaterials of the job in consideration of a post-process for the printedmaterials.

The controller unit 402 inhibits execution of the “interleaving sheetinsertion operation” for the “classification process in consideration ofa post-process” in a series of printing operations for a “job for whichthe operator explicitly inputs one of the first type instructioninformation to third type instruction information”. In addition, thecontroller unit 402 controls the printing system to execute the “shiftdelivery operation” for the “classification process in consideration ofa post-process”.

In other words, the printing apparatus 101 comprises the two, shiftdelivery function and interleaving sheet insertion function as functionsfor implementing classification (sorting) of printed materials. When theclassification process is executed in consideration of a post-process,the controller unit 402 inhibits the use of the interleaving sheetinsertion function. In addition, when the classification process isexecuted in consideration of a post-process, the controller unit 402controls to use the shift delivery function. Even with a configurationhaving the interleaving sheet insertion function, a stacking resultshifted every printed materials of one classification can be obtained onthe stacking unit (the delivery tray 722 or the stack tray in FIG. 44B),as shown in FIGS. 29, 30, 31, 36, 41B, 41C, and 41D.

The above configuration can avoid [matter of concern 1] to [matter ofconcern 3] described above which are found out as problems in the thirdembodiment.

The third embodiment comprises the following configuration in order toimprove the effect capable of flexibly meeting user needs.

For example, the operator presses the user mode key (not shown) of theoperation unit 404. In response to this, the controller unit 402 causesthe display unit 605 to execute a display illustrated in FIG. 45. Thedisplay illustrated in FIG. 45 is a display window 4500 configured toallow the operator to determine whether to permit or inhibit the use ofan interleaving sheet in the printed material classification process inconsideration of a post-process. The display window 4500 which isdisplayed on the display unit 605 by the controller unit 402 inaccordance with an instruction from the operator comprises the followingdisplay building elements.

[1. Guidance Display to Operator]

For example, the controller unit 402 controls the display unit 605 todisplay, in the display window 4500, guidance “You can designate whetherto permit or inhibit the use of an interleaving sheet in the printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process.

The initial setting is “to inhibit the use of an interleaving sheet inthe classification process in consideration of a post-process.”

When the use of an interleaving sheet is inhibited, the shift deliveryfunction is used in the classification process in consideration of apost-process.”

[2. Operation Instruction Key 4501]

The operation instruction key 4501 allows the operator to input aninstruction to inhibit the use of an interleaving sheet in the printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process. Whenthe operator presses the operation instruction key 4501, the controllerunit 402 accepts the instruction. In the third embodiment, thisinstruction is accepted as the setting of the printing apparatus 101 bythe controller unit 402. Assume that a “job which requires the printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process” isaccepted when the instruction is set for the apparatus 101. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system including theprinting apparatus 101 to inhibit execution of the “interleaving sheetinsertion operation” in the classification process for the job, andexecute the “shift delivery operation”.

[3. Operation Instruction Key 4502]

The operation instruction key 4502 allows the operator to input aninstruction to permit the use of an interleaving sheet in the printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process. Whenthe operator presses the operation instruction key 4502, the controllerunit 402 accepts the instruction. In the third embodiment, thisinstruction is accepted as the setting of the printing apparatus 101 bythe controller unit 402. Assume that a “job which requires the printedmaterial classification process in consideration of a post-process” isaccepted when the instruction is set for the apparatus 101. In thiscase, the controller unit 402 controls the printing system including theprinting apparatus 101 to inhibit execution of the “shift deliveryoperation” in the classification process for the job, and execute the“interleaving sheet insertion operation”. In this manner, the controllerunit 402 permits execution of the “interleaving sheet insertionoperation” for the “classification process in consideration of apost-process” on condition that the operator explicitly inputs, via theUI unit in the third embodiment, an instruction “to use an interleavingsheet in the classification process”.

This configuration can further improve the effect capable of flexiblymeeting user needs while achieving the above effects.

In the third embodiment, the setting “to inhibit the use of aninterleaving sheet in the printed material classification process inconsideration of a post-process” is made as a default setting. With thissetting, the above-described effects can be reliably attained.

The control unit (corresponding to the central processing unit 802 inFIG. 8) of the client PC 1603 controls its display unit (correspondingto the display device 806 in FIG. 8) as an example of the UI unit in thethird embodiment to execute the display in FIG. 45. The control unit(corresponding to the central processing unit 802 in FIG. 8) of theclient PC 1603 mainly controls to execute an operation corresponding toan instruction from the operator of the client PC 1603. The thirdembodiment may further comprise this configuration. This configurationimproves flexibility of the printing system, i.e., further improves theeffects of the third embodiment.

In the control example using FIG. 45, a setting based on an instructionfrom the operator via the display in FIG. 45 targets the apparatus 101.Alternatively, the same display as that illustrated in FIG. 45 isexecuted by the UI unit in the third embodiment as a print settingwindow for a job to be processed. The same instruction as that describedabove can be accepted via this display. In accordance with aninstruction accepted as the setting of the job, the controller unit 402can selectively execute the two operations. In this fashion, either ofthe two operations may be selectively executed for each job to beprocessed. This configuration improves flexibility of the printingsystem, i.e., further improves the effects of the third embodiment.

Various configurations corresponding to features of the embodiment whichhave been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 45 are mechanisms whichconsider user merits, and not all the configurations may always beemployed. In other words, a configuration which is at least one ofvarious configurations corresponding to features of the embodiment andcan achieve one corresponding effect falls within the technical scope ofthe embodiment. This is because only this configuration can solveproblems assumed in BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION, and attain moreremarkable effects than those by a configuration assumed in BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION.

As described above, the configuration in the third embodiment canachieve various effects as follows.

For example, a user-friendly convenient printing environment adaptablenot only to the office environment but also to the POD environment canbe provided.

A printing environment which minimizes intervention work by the operatorthat may occur in the POD environment due to, e.g., the configuration ofa printing apparatus assuming the office environment can be provided.Efficient work can be implemented by reducing the work load of theoperator at the actual work site in a printing environment such as thePOD environment.

Even a printing environment can be flexibly coped with where one whoreceives a final material and one who requests an operation of theprinting apparatus or printing system in order to create the finalmaterial are different, similar to the relationship between the customerand the operator in the POD environment. In other words, a flexible userinterface environment more friendly to an operator who actually operatesthe printing apparatus or printing system can be provided.

The first effect capable of increasing the efficiency of interventionwork of an operator who engages in a post-process necessary afterprinting by the printing apparatus in a job to be processed in aprinting environment such as the POD environment can be achieved. Inaddition, an excellent operation environment where an increase in theefficiency of intervention work of an operator who engages in apost-process necessary after printing is considered and the operator'will is respected as much as possible can be provided via a printingapparatus or printing system to the operator who operates the printingapparatus or printing system. The second effect capable of constructinga highly convenient user interface environment in consideration of aprinting environment such as the POD environment can be achieved. Thesetwo effects in consideration of a printing environment such as the PODenvironment can be obtained.

Since the printing system in the embodiment comprises theabove-described configuration, a printing environment capable offlexibly meeting various needs from various users as much as possible onthe assumption of various situations and use environments can beprovided.

Other Embodiment

The present invention may be applied to a system including a pluralityof devices (e.g., a host computer, interface device, reader, andprinter) or an apparatus (e.g., a copying machine or facsimileapparatus) formed by a single device.

The object of the present invention is also achieved when a storagemedium which records software program codes (e.g., the programs ofvarious flowcharts described above, an operation control program forvarious user interface units described above, and an operation controlprogram for causing a printing apparatus or system to execute variousoperations described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 45) for implementingthe functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a systemor apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or MPU) of the system orapparatus reads out and executes the program codes stored in the storagemedium.

In this case, the program codes read out from the storage mediumimplement the functions of the above-described embodiments, and thestorage medium which stores the program codes constitutes the presentinvention.

The storage medium for supplying the program codes includes a Floppy®disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetooptical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R,magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and ROM.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented whenthe computer executes the readout program codes. Also, the presentinvention includes a case where an OS (Operating System) or the likerunning on the computer performs some or all of actual processes on thebasis of the instructions of the program codes and thereby implementsthe functions of the above-described embodiments.

Furthermore, the present invention includes a case where, after theprogram codes read out from the storage medium are written in the memoryof a function expansion board inserted into the computer or the memoryof a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of thefunction expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or allof actual processes on the basis of the instructions of the programcodes and thereby implements the functions of the above-describedembodiments. For example, the control unit (e.g., the central processingunit 802 in FIG. 8) of the client PC 1603 stores, in the memory (e.g.,the control memory 801 in FIG. 8) of the client PC 1603, the samecontrol program as a control program for executing control associatedwith the classification process described in the embodiment by thecontroller unit 402. Then, the control unit of the client PC 1603 canread out and execute the control program. This configuration can furtherimprove the effects of the embodiments capable of flexibly dealing witha printing environment such as the POD environment where various useforms are assumed.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Applications No.2005-210303, filed Jul. 20, 2005 and Japanese Patent Application No.2006-162816, filed Jun. 12, 2006, which are hereby incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

1. (canceled)
 2. A printing apparatus which can be connected to astacking unit configured to stack a plurality of copies of sheetscomprising: an input unit configured to input a print job, a printingunit configured to execute a print processing to output a plurality ofcopies of sheets, based on the print job, a setting unit configured toset height of one group among a plurality of groups into which theplurality of copies of sheets are sorted, a determination unitconfigured to determine number of copies of sheets to be sorted into onegroup, based on the height of one group set by the setting unit, acontrol unit configured to control the stacking unit to sort theplurality of copies of sheets into the plurality of groups, so that eachgroup of the plurality of groups includes the number of copies of sheetsdetermined by the determination unit.
 3. The printing apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising a first reception unitconfigured to receive the height of one group from an operator of theprinting apparatus, wherein the setting unit sets the height of onegroup received by the first reception unit.
 4. The printing apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising a second reception unitconfigured to receive a designation of post-processing apparatus from anoperator of the printing apparatus, which should execute apost-processing on the sheet stacked by the stacking unit, wherein thesetting unit sets the height of one group corresponding to a performanceof the post-processing apparatus designated by designation received bythe second reception unit.
 5. The printing apparatus according to claim2, further comprising a first acquisition unit configured to acquire aheight of one group to be set by the setting unit from print settinginformation included in the print job inputted from an external device,wherein the setting unit sets the height of one group acquired by thefirst acquisition unit.
 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,further comprising a second acquisition unit configured to acquire adesignation of post-processing apparatus from print setting informationincluded in the print job, which should execute a post-processing on thesheet stacked by the stacking unit, wherein the setting unit sets theheight of one group corresponding to a performance of thepost-processing apparatus designated by the second acquisition unit. 7.The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a firstspecification unit configured to specify a height of one copy of sheetsto be stacked by the stacking unit, wherein the determination unitdetermines the number of copies of sheets included in one sorting basedon the height of one group set by the setting unit and the heightspecified by the first specification unit.
 8. The printing apparatusaccording to claim 2, further comprising a second specification unitconfigured to specify a number of the sheets included in one copy ofsheets, wherein the determination unit determines the number of copiesof sheets based on the height of one group set by the setting unit, thenumber of the sheets specified by the second specification unit and athickness of one sheet.
 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the determination unit determines the number of copies of sheetsby dividing the height of one group set by the setting unit by theheight specified by the first specification unit.
 10. The printingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the stacking unit comprises aplurality of stacking section, and the control unit controls thestacking unit to sort the plurality of copies of sheets, so that each ofthe groups is stacked into respective stacking sections.
 11. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unitcontrols the stacking unit to stack the plurality of copies of sheets,with interleaving sheets, so that each of the interleaving sheets isinserted between the groups.
 12. The printing apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the control unit controls the stacking unit to stackthe plurality of copies of sheets, so that stacking position of each ofthe groups is different each other.
 13. A control method being forapplication to a printing apparatus which can be connected to a stackingunit configured to stack a plurality of copies of sheets and comprisesan input unit configured to input a print job, a printing unitconfigured to execute a print processing to output a plurality of copiesof sheets, based on the print job, and a setting unit configured to setheight of one group among a plurality of groups into which the pluralityof copies of sheets are sorted, the method comprising the steps of:determining number of copies of sheets to be sorted into one group,based on the height of one group set by the setting unit, andcontrolling the stacking unit to sort the plurality of copies of sheetsinto the plurality of groups, so that each group of the plurality ofgroups includes the number of copies of sheets determined in the step ofdetermining.
 14. A program stored in a computer-readable storage mediumwhich causes a computer of a printing apparatus to perform or instructthe performing of a control method, wherein the printing apparatus canbe connected to a stacking unit configured to stack a plurality ofcopies of sheets and comprises an input unit configured to input a printjob, a printing unit configured to execute a print processing to outputa plurality of copies of sheets, based on the print job, and a settingunit configured to set height of one group among a plurality of groupsinto which the plurality of copies of sheets are sorted, and wherein thecontrol method comprises the steps of: determining number of copies ofsheets to be sorted into one group, based on the height of one group setby the setting unit, and controlling the stacking unit to sort theplurality of copies of sheets into the plurality of groups, so that eachgroup of the plurality of groups includes the number of copies of sheetsdetermined in the step of determining.